Why I have to keep buying wild bird seed

**madhen** · 02-12-2009, 04:04 PM

This is about half the number eating from the feeders right now. The reason these guys are in the tree is because the feeders (and the tree that the feeders hang on) is full of birds - no room for these guys until someone gets full and leaves.

Makes me think of a mini-Hitchcock movie. Not quite as scary as crows, but I'll bet they could deliver a good peck or two!

(They are American Goldfinches and house sparrows, btw. I know the pic isn't great - shot through the window.)

**MoonMommy** · 02-12-2009, 04:20 PM

My dad's trees look like that but with crows as well as the littler birds.

**Sara Noel** · 02-12-2009, 04:22 PM

Beautiful pics!

**Spirit Deer** · 02-12-2009, 04:24 PM

The finches have been extra-numerous here all winter, too. They're costing us a fortune to buy food, but we don't feel like we can stop it at this time of year. Same problem with the deer.

**madhen** · 02-12-2009, 04:28 PM

Luckily, the deer around here have plenty of forage, but the finches, sparrow, jays, towhees, and doves will get pretty vocal when their seed runs low!!

**Darlene** · 02-12-2009, 04:31 PM

Party at madhens, let's flock together.
Neat pics, thanks for sharing.

**dpence** · 02-12-2009, 04:44 PM

Nice pictures!I have a Cardinal that has been coming to my feeder for the last week.This is the first time I've ever seen one in this area.I have to say it is nice to see all the birds enjoying the feeders.

**madhen** · 02-12-2009, 04:58 PM

Cardinals are beautiful birds. We don't get them out here.

**fernykins** · 02-12-2009, 05:08 PM

I use to have hummingbirds but the neighbors 50 million cats have killed a lot of them...... nice pics
Fern

**madhen** · 02-12-2009, 05:13 PM

Oh, yes, I have hummers as well, hundreds of them in summer. But I have to refill their feeders so often, I keep the feeders on my deck, on the other side of my house.

**Laura2** · 02-12-2009, 11:09 PM

Those are really good pictures. How much has the bird seed been costing you?

**phoeny_moonstar** · 02-13-2009, 12:39 AM

Cute pictures. It does kinda remind me of a mini-hitchcock movie. LOL

**madhen** · 02-13-2009, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by Laura2

Those are really good pictures. How much has the bird seed been costing you?

I feed them nyjer thistle and black oil sunflower. The nyjer is about $25 for a 20-lb bag and the black oil is about $25 for a 50-lb bag. I go through about 20 pounds each of thistle and sunflower every month, so in the ballpark of $35-40/month. In the winter, I usually also provide suet, but they go through that very slowly, so it probably only works out to $1-2 extra a month.

**AdamantEve** · 02-13-2009, 05:57 AM

Wow, is that your view?!!?? Stunning pics.

**stinkbug** · 02-13-2009, 11:18 AM

I'm right there with you Madhen! My trip to the feed store today will be 40 lbs. natural dog food, two 50 lb bags of whole corn (for the flocks of ducks and geese that visit) and 40 lbs of special blend bird seed. We feed morning doves, finches, black caps, quail, and who ever else they invite for dinner! About 100.00 per month!