Why my bird feeders is always empty these days

[NSBound]

I am surrounded!

 

[crusty 1]

Mine too! I really like to watch birds but the blue jays are becoming a pest.I hate to do it but I may have to start thinning them outDave

 

[jimmyj]

Just limit the feed you give Dave. We have TONS of Jays here too, they come in like a squadron and then leave for a while. I'm amazed how many there are.

 

[Thomas]

Also here,some birds getting ready for long flight south plus cooler temps food not as easy to find...seeing more white splatters on pick up lately.

 

[Thomas]

Jimmy J.

Bet there story about your sig pic.

 

[crusty 1]

Just limit the feed you give Dave. We have TONS of Jays here too, they come in like a squadron and then leave for a while. I'm amazed how many there are.

Jim, I,ve tried but the jays take over every feeder.They keep all the little birds out,and I,ve heard the jays destroy nests and eggs of other birds.I don,t want to just let the bullies get thier way all the timeDave

 

[Ezlivn]

I agree on the bullying part. I seem to have the same problem. The little guys get pushed away. i only give my birds a scoop every morning rather than fill them all up. gives the little guys a chance.

 

[jimmyj]

Jays are related to crows and yes they do raid nests. We get tons of them but I have quite a few feeders and some are different shapes so there are always places for the little guys.

I love feeding the birds and watching them. It is neat how they come in shifts, some birds early, other birds later, some at dawn or dusk only. There is no doubt Jays are aggressive and bold.

Good luck!

NOTE: For years I got my bird seed for free, loads of it. Now this year I am going to have to start paying for it and I'm dreading it. We will cut back on the number of feeders but even so it's going to be a discipline compared to what we are used to.

Thomas, sent you a PM with the stuck in pond thread link in it..

 

[Thomas]

Jimmy J.
Thank you for sharing..got email..glad you both still w/us..whew.

 

[Egon]

There are bird feeders that will only let in smaller birds.

 

[DennisArrow]

Perhaps change the type of feed.......I keep one feeder with the grainy type of seeds and then other feeders I mix the black type of sunflower with the grainy. The Jays seldom even look at the feeders with just grain but head for the sunflowers instead. Also, I use the niger feeders placed next to the grain feeders and the smaller birds tend to head over there. Both of these feeders are the tube type with little perches and the sunflower/grain ones are more open like a shelf...........Dennis

 

[keegs]

Jays can be agressive no doubt..but I usually just let the birds figure it out.

We only feed the birds during the colder winter months otherwise we're drawing in the bears which can be dodgy.... Besides...I like to eat my zucchini..

 

[NSBound]

Well, they're driving me into the poorhouse, so I think I'll take Egon's advice and get one of those feeders that have a cage around them to just let in the smaller birds, and limit the Jays to a scoop a day or so. Maybe they'll get the message!

 

[ronjhall]

You need Woodpeckers. They rule the feeders around my place.

 

[Tdog]

Same problem here - - wish it were just blue jays [although i have plenty of them too].

Jack

 

[NSBound]

You need Woodpeckers. They rule the feeders around my place.

We run a cooperative feeding venture here in Nova Scotia.

 

[ronjhall]

We run a cooperative feeding venture here in Nova Scotia.

The local Woodpeckers would not put up with that. Every other bird has to go off the feeder before it will eat.
This thread reminds me that I need to fill the feeders today.

 

[Lloyd_E]

I gave up on feeding the birds.

Several years ago we were going through about a 25+lbs of seed a week. Our house was configured at the time to allow for a day coach off the kitchen by the wood stove. It was a great place to fall asleep after several drams or a reading marathon. Well, one of the evenings I was wakened by this constant banging against the house. I got up, grabbed my high powered flashlight and turned it on to see through the window... here were 4 or 5 deer standing around while one was bobbing the bird feeders that were attached to the house. Once there was enough feed on the ground the others came in for gourmet late night/early morning snack!

Lloyd

PS: don't even ask about the crows and the plastic compost bins... chain and pad lock may be next!

 

[keegs]

PS: don't even ask about the crows and the plastic compost bins... chain and pad lock may be next!

Harry...our dog gets carrots for a snack. He doesn't digest them very well and there's always the familiar chunks of carrots scattered about the back garden.

They're real popular with the crows. :licking:

 

[schmism]

looks like target practice for my pellet gun with all those jays