No birdies yet... ~UPDATED~ We had a visitor!

**~Sherry~** · 02-17-2003, 09:47 AM

We put out our first bird feeder last night.... and I made pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed too! But still no birds!

LOL I guess I was expecting to open the blinds this morning and see a flock of beautiful birds. NOT!

How long does it usually take for birds to "find" your feeder?

**TooSweet** · 02-17-2003, 10:00 AM

sometimes it can take awhile - over a week perhaps.

But once they find it keep it going because they will come back everyday looking for food. If you ever stop then start back it will be just like now - it may take them days to find it again.

Make sure its good fresh seed and use lots of black oil sunflower seeds - they are more expensive but its what attracts the birds. Mix it in with some other good bird seed mix.

And if they are the same way as here now all you have to do is look out for the squirrels.

**Sara Noel** · 02-17-2003, 10:01 AM

I put mine out and they came right away, but you may find it takes a week or so in your area. (also depending on the type of seed)

**Sara Noel** · 02-17-2003, 10:16 AM

Do you have any specific birds that you want to attract? Like I love finches and like to attract them to the feeders. I can help you with seed choices etc to attract the birds you might want to see.
I've been into birdwatching since childhood.

It's a great family hobby.

**MJsLady** · 02-17-2003, 10:28 AM

I can hardly wait to put in some trees. Thats the only thing I left behind I would like to have, but those trees would have been a problem, they send out shoots and once settled, they keep growing thick, so you have to mow them off then they hurt your feet!
I have seen some birds on the ground here, small sparrows I think. I plan to do a few feeders here, small ones for small birds, not for the big starlings and crows.
I haven't seens squirrels here yet, but there are some trees across the road so I am sure there are some.

**~Sherry~** · 02-17-2003, 11:15 AM

I really like the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Blue Birds... those types of birds. Finches are pretty too.

I can't wait to be able to sit at the dining room table and watch them.

I can see them from my kitchen window too.

**Sara Noel** · 02-17-2003, 11:51 AM

Bluejays love sunflower seeds and cracked corn and might pick up on the peanut butter pinecones. They like suet and even breads.
Finches like sunflower seed, niger thistle seed and peanuts.
But Toosweet is right Black Oil Sunflower seeds will attract all of them for ya.
Cardinals like Safflower Seed too.

We used to make our own suet at home for the birds.

**babynurse** · 02-17-2003, 12:20 PM

Here in my area, the population of crows, bluejays and I can't remember the last type of birds are down about 90% due to West Nile....it was on the news...Sad.

**~Sherry~** · 02-19-2003, 05:59 PM

We had a chickadee visit this morning! YaY! He came and flew in for a few bites then left. I'm hoping he went to tell his friends! lol

Thanks for all of the info you guys.
The seed I bought has the sunflower seeds in it. I hope they like it! I have been throwing out bread as well... we had a couple of end of the loafs that were getting older. Better than throwing them away I thought.

Sara... how do you make suet? Its not to expensive in the stores from what I see, does it pay to make your own?

**homesteadmamma** · 02-19-2003, 06:18 PM

Sherry, here in our area, we have to put the bird feeder out in the fall and then those little Chickadees are here all winter. There so funny to watch and boy do they have a pecking order. We are always chuckling over them. We also get the Bluejays and they love sunflower seeds (so do the squirrels).

In the summer, we have Orioles, Hummingbirds and Purple Martins. I love the Hummingbirds.

One thing though, once they start coming, look out. You'll go broke feeding them.

**~Sherry~** · 02-19-2003, 06:23 PM

I'm already broke, CJ... so it won't matter! LOL
I just think it will give me something to do, watching them. I so enjoy it! And Tyler loves birdies, he calls them "weet weets".

I need to get another feeder or 2 eventually... we'll probably make them. We only bought this one because all of the woodworking tools aren't here yet... and it was $6.76 at WalMart.

**Darlene** · 02-19-2003, 07:31 PM

Good for you Sherry! I loved to hear your excitement at getting a chickadee at your feeder.

Did Tyler get to see it? I use only black oil sunflower seed and can usually find a 50 lb. bag for under $10 on sale. I buy the suet cakes at about 89¢ on sale. I get a lot of entertainment for my dollar. Welcome to the world of birding and may you enjoy it as much as I do.

**~Sherry~** · 02-19-2003, 07:39 PM

You know... Tyler didn't see it.

The chickadee was a little shy... he'd land on the feeder and grab a mouthful then fly up in the tree to eat it. He did this a few times then we never saw him again. Hopefully he'll be back tomorrow with his friends and family!

**captclearance** · 02-19-2003, 07:46 PM

That's great Sherry ! I love Chicadees, they are so little and so cute !!!!! He'll be back........

**homesteadmamma** · 02-19-2003, 07:47 PM

Sherry, Chickadees are really shy!! But if you stand really still they will bring you hours and hours of entertainment.

The ones that come to our feeder - one will get up on the feeder and knock off seed for the birds on the ground. Then another one comes and they have a squabble about who is going to be there.

We have one little one that comes and plunks himself down and stays in one spot all the time. He fluffs himself up and just sits for most of the day there, not moving one bit!! So cute!!