Feeding the Birds
09-11-2017, 02:00 PM
#771
They are like my dog, she 'loves' whoever feed her last. 
09-12-2017, 03:08 AM
#772
I'm frequently re-filling the thistle bags. I had given up on the thistle as they seemed to prefer seeds. However, I removed the seed feeder closest to house due to the rodents that had showed up, and went back to some thistle. I just bought a second bag, I've never had so much gold finch activity. I may have to mortgage the house or apply for food stamps for these free loaders!
09-12-2017, 03:38 AM
#773
I was having to throw out thistle seed every year so I decided to just put out the black oil sunflower seed as all the birds seem to enjoy that. They keep me hopping when they come here. We already have a few early migrators that have shown up. They're fattening up at your place for the long flight south.
09-12-2017, 03:43 AM
#774
Me too. In the past, I tossed more thistle than they consumed. I am surprised by their present consumption! I don't totally fill the bag, so there is less waste if it gets wet. They will be nice and plump on arrival in your "hood", Darlene.
09-13-2017, 03:56 AM
#775
For the past 3 months, going thru twice as much thistle seed as safflower seed.
Gave up on the sunflower seed a year ago, the squirrels were eating most of it, or it seemed that way!
Gave up on the sunflower seed a year ago, the squirrels were eating most of it, or it seemed that way!
09-14-2017, 03:18 AM
#776
Thanks, Gene. It is hit and miss depending on time. Enjoy a forum wayyyy more than FB as discussions are more fulfilling and I grow weary of all those pesky political and inflammatory postings on FB. Back OT, I'm out of suet, seed and need to clean all my feeders. The birds are quite angry with me, but hoping I get out today to replenish my supplies. Only have about 8 lbs of seed and that won't even fill two feeders.
09-14-2017, 08:51 AM
#777
Used HomeDepot's online order system and got 40 lbs blackoil sunflower seed and 8 high energy suet cakes. Ran in and picked up my order and ran back out. Easy Peezy. Our Home Depot is a total zoo at all hours and waiting to checkout is worse than a trip to WalMart. Ordering online and having the order all ready for pickup is amazing. Had to stop shopping at the local bird seed store since the owner sold it to a pet store here and prices immediately doubled. 
I got 40 lbs of seed for less than the price of 20 pounds at the pet store. The suet that my birds seem to prefer is the high energy suet packs that are only a little over a dollar at Home Depot. Pet store charges $2.58 each. I'm all for helping out local small businesses, but this is just too much. Lainey, send those gold finches on down. I'm ready.
I got 40 lbs of seed for less than the price of 20 pounds at the pet store. The suet that my birds seem to prefer is the high energy suet packs that are only a little over a dollar at Home Depot. Pet store charges $2.58 each. I'm all for helping out local small businesses, but this is just too much. Lainey, send those gold finches on down. I'm ready.
09-14-2017, 09:29 AM
#778
Lainey, send those gold finches on down. I'm ready. [/QUOTE]
Val,I'm sending you mine too;I think they're ready to migrate...
Good to see you back.
[/QUOTE]Val,I'm sending you mine too;I think they're ready to migrate...Good to see you back.
Last edited by Emil St-Hilaire; 09-14-2017 at 10:06 AM.
09-14-2017, 10:23 AM
#779
A lot of the gold finches do stick around, but they lose their bright colors for the winter. Sometimes, I'm not sure which bird I am seeing at the feeders. Hitting the road for a few days, will refill feeders tomorrow night. My hummers are still around, but I don't think they will be when I get back. 
09-14-2017, 12:54 PM
#780
Thanks, Emil. Send them on down. Lainey, have a good trip. The goldfinches aren't gold when they come here and by the time they begin to turn they leave. They are not very colorful but they still are sweet. Winter brings soooo many birds I have a hard time keeping the feeders filled but I enjoy them all the same.