Attempting to bird watch in my backyard - Any Advice?

I have my feeders around 10ft from the house and some birds will come to it if I sits still and quiet on a bench approx 6ft from the feeder. I some shrubs and small tree about 10ft the other side of the feeder. The birds never fly straight in they always land on the tree shrubs first or on a nearby table before landing on the feeding station. Some of them take a seed or nut then fly off to the tree to eat their catch. When bigger birds or squirrel approach they all take flight into the nearby bushes and trees and seem to wait until it is all clear again.

Okay so funny news, this morning I came out to check on my bird feeder that I left for a week, a squirrel's been at it for a week now.

Vixen89 wrote in post #14640755
Okay so funny news, this morning I came out to check on my bird feeder that I left for a week, a squirrel's been at it for a week now.

Bastards!!!

blueM wrote in post #14640851
Bastards!!!

I moved the feeder closer to the house..see how that will fare out. T_T I thought I was finally getting somewhere..!

Vixen89 wrote in post #14640856
I moved the feeder closer to the house..see how that will fare out. T_T I thought I was finally getting somewhere..!

Forget it, you can move it into your house and they will find a way.


My sister has had her feeder out for years. She makes sure there is stuff for the squirrels on the ground - and it takes more than the birds will eat.

Another byproduct of her feeders ...... Raptors. Small and large are attacking both the other birds and the squirrels. I hope to be able to catch one of these events.

My understanding is you may be able to put mothballs around 15 feet from the feeders in a circle.

Vixen89 wrote in post #14640755
Okay so funny news, this morning I came out to check on my bird feeder that I left for a week, a squirrel's been at it for a week now.

If you feeder is on a metal pole, then add Crisco to the pole. Not only is it effective but its also funny to watch. Also hot pepper mixed in the bird seed can work too and it gives the birds a tasty treat and also might be funny to see when a squirrel takes a taste.

Ive found peanuts on ground keep the squirrels content as well.

windpig wrote in post #14617432
My wife changes the 4 water dishes we put out almost every day. It is a commitment that pays off. Have the feeders and water such that the cats can't get to close undetected.

We put out black oiled sunflower seeds and suit.

In our back yard in Seattle we get or have seen the all the birds in this link:
http://www.christineva​dai.com/backyard_birds​.htm

Our back yard is secluded and is about 25 X 40 feet.

Good lord; we must be doing something wrong....out here in Issaquah we have only managed to attract, maybe, a third of that list

Black sunflower seeds and suet blocks are what we put out, too. The suet blocks are great for bringing the woodpeckers in. We have nyjer seed out but the Goldfinches seem to ignore that feeder.

Vixen: Be sure to add a squirrel baffle to your feeder post; it will keep *those* little buggers from decimating your seed stock.

Hi Eric

I don't know how long you've been feeding and watering the birds, but we've been at it for 11 years. It may take some time. Water most definitely is an attractant, along with a good mix of shrubs and trees.

windpig wrote in post #14642102
Hi Eric

I don't know how long you've been feeding and watering the birds, but we've been at it for 11 years. It may take some time. Water most definitely is an attractant, along with a good mix of shrubs and trees.

Well..certainly not THAT long The feeders are about 6mo old, and the birds empty them faster than I can keep up with filling them...unfortunately, most of the culprits are Starlings. Just can't seem to drive them off; although, on of our Flickers manages to out 'thug' them pretty well...heh

Vixen89 - Can't wait to see some photos of your birding exploits. I set mine up like that last winter and got some pretty amazing shots of birds. Nothing rare, just cardinals, Chickadees, Titmouse, Yellow bellied Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Finches, Doves, (Inca, Ring Neck, White Wing, and Mourning),Oriole, and Mocking Bird. I even change the set-up avery 3 months.
Good luckl and show us when ya can.

My in laws have a feeder right outside their living room windows where they watch TV. It gets plenty of attention from Finches, Starlings, and Sparrows. They just use a standard bird seed from the store. The birds dont seem to be bothered by us either. I got within 10ft of them and they didnt pay any attention to me. Taken with a Canon 100mm Macro lens. Cant wait to see your pics!

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The recommended distance from your house to the feeder is 30 feet or three feet.If you place the feeder closer to the house then 30 feet you should have appliques on your window glass as bird strikes on glass often cause head trauma resulting in the death of many birds. You should check the seed in your feeder after any rain particularly a blowing rain as the moisture in the feeder spoils the seed and causes the growth of bacteria that is harmful to the birds. If you set up a water drip make sure it is in the shade as the Texas sun will make it too hot for use if it is in the sun. If one of your feeders is getting only sporadic use dump the seed and replace it as bird seed spoils after a while. If I were you*I would get rid of those long strings or wires on your feeders and raise them as high as possible. I would also try installing a squirrel guard. It is only a matter of time before squirrels or raccoons find your feeders and damage them. Finally, once a month or so clean the feeders with a soap solution, rinse it off and spray a solution of 10% bleach 90% water on them, rinse again and allow too dry.

Larry Weinman wrote in post #14665522
The recommended distance from your house to the feeder is 30 feet or three feet.If you place the feeder closer to the house then 30 feet you should have appliques on your window glass as bird strikes on glass often cause head trauma resulting in the death of many birds. You should check the seed in your feeder after any rain particularly a blowing rain as the moisture in the feeder spoils the seed and causes the growth of bacteria that is harmful to the birds. If you set up a water drip make sure it is in the shade as the Texas sun will make it too hot for use if it is in the sun. If one of your feeders is getting only sporadic use dump the seed and replace it as bird seed spoils after a while. If I were you*I would get rid of those long strings or wires on your feeders and raise them as high as possible. I would also try installing a squirrel guard. It is only a matter of time before squirrels or raccoons find your feeders and damage them. Finally, once a month or so clean the feeders with a soap solution, rinse it off and spray a solution of 10% bleach 90% water on them, rinse again and allow too dry.

Good stuff there that I need to keep in mind. We have one feeder with in 2 feet of a window but no birds ever hit the window. I'll have to keep a good watch out for that. I did think one was coming in the house one day while the window was open but he turned away.

To the OP. I'm guessing the image you originally posted is not yours. But, in case it is, I have seen it on more than web site being used:

http://www.duncraft.co​m …Feeder-Station-Four-Hooks

Anyhow, some good tips in this thread!

find and old dead branch and wire it to your feeder stand.

this gives birds a place to perch while waiting their turn.makes for excellent natural shots.

black sunflower seed