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January 12, 2008
Birdfeeders in Brooklyn
Does anyone out there have a successful birdfeeder setup? I am about to undertake setting up a few birdhouses in our backyard and am looking for any helpful hints or suggestions. Thank you!
Comments
if you do find something squirrel proof (you need one of those double-wall types whose outside mesh lets in nothing larger than a small bird to feed off the inner container, then large numbers of the same drab sort tend to empty your seed within a couple of days, in a kind of frenzy, leaving a hell of a husk/poop cleanup below the feeder and a $20 bill for more feed.
At least that was my experience.
Posted by: guest at January 12, 2008 6:00 PM
I use an older version of this squirrel-proof feeder:
http://www.duncraft.com/Heritage-Farms-Birders-Choice-Squirrel-Proof-Feeder-P201C34.aspx
It's larger (10 Lbs of seed instead of 5) and lacks the visable seed window, but is otherwise the same. In about 15 years, I've only seen one squirrel genius who could figure out how to defeat it (by hanging from the feeder roof by his back feet).
I use a mixture of hulled sunflower seed, cracked corn, and peanut bits, so there's no mess from hulls. Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens sells this specialized seed, but only twice a year in Oct. and early Jan., so it's too late to get it there bedfore next fall. I buy a 110 Lbs in the Fall 950 Lbs each of sunflower and corn, 10 Lbs of peanut bits) and keep it outdoors, in a metal garbage can, with the lid secured by straps (to foil squirrels).
Posted by: Bob Marvin at January 12, 2008 9:00 PM
many stores thrown out stale bread, bagels, muffins, etc. When walking by break open a bag, take some home..in the morning throw it out back and the birds will wait for it in the morning for ever more. Trust me, its the best birdfeeder out there.
Posted by: guest at January 12, 2008 9:55 PM
I have switched to a ground feeder and put out food both birds and squirrels would like, because I spent $58 on a fancy copper-topped bird feeder that ended up feeding only the squirrels.
Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 5:08 PM
There are alot of rats in Brooklyn. Please be aware that accessible food, especially something like stale bread strewn around, is extremely likely to attract rats and their winged counterparts, pigeons.
Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 9:28 AM
yeah, rats would probably eat bird seed if they had no choice, but how can some sunflower seeds compete with the overflowing garbage cans (and sidewalks) full of chicken bones?
i keep meaning to set up birdfeeders again, in my old house the squirrels wouldn't stop trying to get into it, eventually chewing a big hole in the side. i guess they were thinking it would be a never-ending fountain of seeds.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at January 14, 2008 11:11 AM
Ick, I didn't think of the rats.
Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:17 AM
My neighbors don't leave too much garbage around so this fall rats stripped, big time stripped, every single plant and tree (except the box wood, which they apparently tasted and cast off) on my single story roof deck.
Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 12:59 PM
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