Bird Migration

[purpahurl]

Here are some samples of what you will get if you scatter seeds on the ground. These birds wil not eat from a hanging feeder, but will tear it up on a platform or the ground.

[purpahurl]

I don't intend to harp on this, but if anyone out there feeds birds and has problems with Grackles and House Sparrows, don't keep food out all day long. these birds will eat it all. The good birds will come after these leave but you have to get them established to coming to your yard first, then you can start controlling when you put food out. This time of year it's about 5:00, the birds you want will also feed on this very early, enough time to see them before you leave for work.

[rhertz]

Purpa, I'm a total amateur compared to you. but we do feed birds in the winter most years. I have a "finch bag" with thistle and also a seed feeder on a pole with the usual mixture of safflower, millet, sunflower, etc. We use a pair of binaculars to get a good view. We get a pretty good mixture dispite the fact that we keep the feeders stocked 24/7... Only finches will stick to the thistle bag. We get "golden finches" I do believe. Again, I'm not much for looking stuff up.

However we do get these bigass woodpeckers out here.. Pileated Woodpecker? They are huge.



We also see red-belly and red-head woodies... But I miss the ducks on Cross Lake the most. Grey ducks (Gadwalls) and woodducks.. Lots of water turkeys (cormorants) which seem to be ever present.

the White Herrings out on Cross Lake are specticle. Especially when they go poop. Like dumping a quart of white paint on the rooftops of boat houses...

[purpahurl]

The finch bag is pretty cool. Only put thistles in it. Gold finches, House finches, chickadees and titmouse can feed on this. That Pileated Woodpecker is very common here. Those are awesome. Red Bellied woodpeckers will eat out of a hanging or stationairy feeder. Red Headed woodpeckers prefer tall dead trees with alot of open space. I had two last fall at my house for the first time. I live in south S'port and my back yard backs up to two bayous. I get alot of stuff you normally would not get in town. As far as the Gadwall go, they are more common now than ever before. A common problem with feeding birds is filling your hanging feeder with mixed seed. This seed needs to be spread on the ground or on a platform. Sunflower seed or plain millet should only be put in hanging feeders. The results are instant.

[rhertz]

Originally Posted by purpahurl

The finch bag is pretty cool. Only put thistles in it. Gold finches, House finches, chickadees and titmouse can feed on this. That Pileated Woodpecker is very common here. Those are awesome. Red Bellied woodpeckers will eat out of a hanging or stationairy feeder. Red Headed woodpeckers prefer tall dead trees with alot of open space. I had two last fall at my house for the first time. I live in south S'port and my back yard backs up to two bayous. I get alot of stuff you normally would not get in town. As far as the Gadwall go, they are more common now than ever before. A common problem with feeding birds is filling your hanging feeder with mixed seed. This seed needs to be spread on the ground or on a platform. Sunflower seed or plain millet should only be put in hanging feeders. The results are instant.

yeah the finches are fun. Woodpeckers are cool as long as they are not rapping on my chimney! I'm near a large pond and that helps bring in some unusual creatures. Bluebirds and hummingbirds are two more favorites that haven't been mentioned yet. I have been successful at attracting hummers with flowers and feeders, but bluebirds are a random sighting for me. I even enjoy watching bats feed on insects in the summer.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Anybody have a bat house ? I hear these guys can eat more bug than Martins.

[Morpheus]

duck and goose season opens this weekend!