Randy S 1 post Nov 08, 2006 9:22 PM	Please feel free to use this message board for posting questions, comments, or helpful information about the backyard birds in your area or bird-feeding in general. Last Edited Randy S on 8-Nov-2006 9:24 PM
Andrea Guest Nov 11, 2006 6:55 PM	how do I stop stellar Jays' from taking over all the feed stations I have set up, specifically those for the smaller birds and ground feeders. they're not Jay's, they're pigs!
Randy S 2 posts Nov 13, 2006 5:24 PM	Hi Andrea, Try using straight white millet for your ground feeding birds. Jays are not fond of this seed. For your other bird feeders try and use cages around them that just allow the smaller birds to enter. Duncraft has a cage that fits over a tube feeder and also a squirrel-proof suet feeder as well. You can see those products on this site. Also remove any trays that you have on your tube-style feeders too. Some feeders like the "Clingers" and "The Droll Yankee Big Top" feeder are very good at eliminating visits from jays.
ohjackie 2 posts Mar 13, 2008 3:32 AM	I am new at feeding birds and am having a blast watching the birds eat and play, and I do take a lot of pictures. In the two years I have had: 8 chickadees both years 6 mourning doves the first year, this year 14 2 woodpeckers, one red headed, and one hairy numerous gackles, house sparrows, field sparrows, some finches, and about once a week I get a hawk (different breeds) I don't know the species but have the pictures. My concern (husband's really) is that the lawn is going to be a mess in the spring,as there is a lot of seed on the ground. How do I remedy this? What am I doing wrong?
Randy S 10 posts Mar 20, 2008 9:26 PM	Try using hulled sunflower chips. This seed is the cleanest and most bird attractive seed available. Because it is de-shelled it will not grow. You can also use suet for feeding your woodpeckers since this is a very clean and effective way to bring them in. Try and avoid using generic wild bird mix available in department and big box stores. These mixes consist mostly of millet and other cheap filler seeds that the birds will scatter to the ground.
Don-Marie Guest Jun 29, 2008 6:45 PM	I have replaced a regular plastic bird feeder, usually filled with only niger seed. The new feeder is bright blue holding 3lbs of seed. Because my recently deceased father always loved Cardinals I decided to put a mixture of niger and I think "millet" Its white/beige in colour and looks like shelled sunflower seed, but harder and fatter. Since making these changes approx 4-5wks ago, Ive not seen one bird! Please advise as the feeder is in the same spot that once had constant yellow and burgandy finches. Thanks a bunch for any feedback. My email address is outdoorgirl@rogers.com
Gail Cline Guest Dec 17, 2008 4:35 PM	We are running back & forth every half hour to replace juice for hummingbirds. Is there a feeder that does not freeze. The hummers fly to my husband as soon as brings a fresh feeder out. We live in Abbotsford. Any suggestions? Gail
Randy S Guest Dec 22, 2008 7:40 AM	Hi Gail, No, there isn't a feeder that doesn't freeze. Best you can do is to use a large bottle-style that takes longer to freeze up. Other suggestions are: 1) Try and keep your feeder(s) as close to your house as you can. 2)If possible run an extension cord and hang a high wattage light bulb next to your feeder 3) Wrap some insulating material like a wool sock around your feeder along with plastic on the outside of that. Good luck.
Anonymous Guest Dec 27, 2008 11:48 AM	Thanks Randy. Will try your suggestions. We have 2 hummers around all day long. They even know when my husband drives in and buzz him when he brings out fresh juice.
Judy A Guest Dec 29, 2008 10:58 PM	Hi There, We've recently had a severe cold snap here in Kelowna with temperatures as low as -34! Up until the cold spell we had a huge population of goldfinches, purple finches and for the first time in winter the pine siskins. After this cold spell we've had a mass of starlings at our feeders, but have seen very few of the aforementioned song birds. Could the starlings have driven them away or could the birds have moved on or perished due to the extremely cold weather?
Randy S Guest Jan 10, 2009 9:50 PM	Hi Judy, Probably a combination of both. The finches may have migrated to Washington. Starlings in large numbers could easily drive off your smaller birds. Try straight nyjer/thistle seed in your feeders. Starlings dislike this seed.
Judy A Guest Jan 29, 2009 9:47 AM	Hi Randy, Thanks for the advice. I've made some modifications to feeding and the weather has warmed up a fair bit. The starlings have moved on and just this week the goldfinches and purple finches are back in droves! Even the quail are back now. Cheers!