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03/30/2004 08:00:20 PM · #1 |
I want bird shots. But I dont really wanna go any farther than my front yard. lol. I want to build a feeder, set up a tripod, and wait. Is there some kind of specific feeder that will attract more birds? Is there a certain time of day there are more birds. Down here in South Florida, we have a variety of them, so im not worried about there being just the basic bird. I wouldnt mind if squirrels came too, but I would mind if they scared away the birds. Any suggestions?
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03/30/2004 08:04:49 PM · #2 |
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03/30/2004 08:13:41 PM · #3 |
| Squirrels don't only scare away the birds, they eat ALL of the goodies. They'll even spill it all on the ground so they can easily get it. I've seen amazing stunts from our squirrels to get at our squirrel proof feeder. And they can do it. But at least it's a deterrent. |
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03/30/2004 08:16:33 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Squirrels don't only scare away the birds, they eat ALL of the goodies. They'll even spill it all on the ground so they can easily get it. I've seen amazing stunts from our squirrels to get at our squirrel proof feeder. And they can do it. But at least it's a deterrent. |
amazing squirrel stunts eh? that sounds like more fun, lol. But what about the birdies?
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03/30/2004 09:11:28 PM · #5 |
You can buy feeders at most pet stores or home DIY stores like Lowes or Home Depot. They range in prices from cheap to expensive so there should be something within your price budget. You can get bird feed at pet stores or DIY stores too, and usually they will have the type of bird listed on the bags. I get a general wild bird seed and it seems to attract sparrows, finches, doves, cardinals, jayhawks, starlings, and a few others I havent been able to identify yet. It can take a while for the birds to learn there is food available, but once they do they will keep coming back normally from dawn to dusk.
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03/30/2004 09:14:02 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by moodville:
You can buy feeders at most pet stores or home DIY stores like Lowes or Home Depot. They range in prices from cheap to expensive so there should be something within your price budget. You can get bird feed at pet stores or DIY stores too, and usually they will have the type of bird listed on the bags. I get a general wild bird seed and it seems to attract sparrows, finches, doves, cardinals, jayhawks, starlings, and a few others I havent been able to identify yet. It can take a while for the birds to learn there is food available, but once they do they will keep coming back normally from dawn to dusk. |
are there feeders for like 10 dollars? Also, I heard that morning is the best time to photograph, as the most birds come out, is this true? If so, how early?
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03/30/2004 09:45:18 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by hsteg:
Originally posted by moodville:
You can buy feeders at most pet stores or home DIY stores like Lowes or Home Depot. They range in prices from cheap to expensive so there should be something within your price budget. You can get bird feed at pet stores or DIY stores too, and usually they will have the type of bird listed on the bags. I get a general wild bird seed and it seems to attract sparrows, finches, doves, cardinals, jayhawks, starlings, and a few others I havent been able to identify yet. It can take a while for the birds to learn there is food available, but once they do they will keep coming back normally from dawn to dusk. |
are there feeders for like 10 dollars? Also, I heard that morning is the best time to photograph, as the most birds come out, is this true? If so, how early? |
Sure - check any Wal-Mart, K-Mart, any Mart :-). They have basic feeders for as low as $5.00.
As far as time of day, morning is best, but you don't have to be up at the crack of dawn - I have whiled away many a morning drinking coffee, reading, and watching the assortment fo birds go ballistic on my feeder. I would say it stays pretty steady all day, but tapers off after 10:00 AM or so. And they tend to come in waves. |
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03/30/2004 09:51:51 PM · #8 |
You might want to check out Wild Birds Unlimited and see if there is a store near you. The stuff they sell is maybe a bit pricy though but they'll have a better range to look at than home depot etc.
You could check out what you need then get it somewhere else even :)
Some basics are some birds prefer to hang and feed on a mesh, others prefer to feed from a tray - some feeders can accomodate both types of preference.
I put up a feeder about a week ago - it took a few days for the birds to get comfortable with it and it is taking me longer getting comfortable taking pictures :)
Seems they feed a lot around early morning and early evening. |
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03/30/2004 10:09:51 PM · #9 |
One other thing I forgot to mention is variety - if you really want to pull in a lot of different types of bird, offer as wide a variety of food as you can.
The seed blends are usually lacking in one key ingredient to pulling in some very interesting birds, and that is peanuts. Offer them in a wire mesh feeder (in the shell, whole) and you will more readily attract a variety of woodpeckers and tree-clinging birds, as well as Blue Jays.
Suet is also a very good attracter of birds in winter, but can be expensive to purchase. If you get serious about feeding the birds, it is much more economical to make suet than purchase it. And the birds don't know the difference. In fact, the suet I make brings mobs of birds that the store bought stuff does not. Recipes can be found here. The last one on the list (Tried and true suet treat) definitely lives up to its name.
Happy birding!
Edit: Suet may not be a great option for you most of the year - I just realized you are in Florida. The National Audubon Socety does not recommend feeding suet when temperatures climb past 80 degrees because "it turns rancid and drippy and may damage feathers."
Message edited by author 2004-03-30 22:15:49. |
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03/30/2004 10:56:42 PM · #10 |
| If you are going to put up a feeder, please be prepared to keep buying seed and keeping your feeder clean and well stocked with feed. If you don't plan on keeping up with this, don't start one in the first place. It is cruel to the birds to start feeding just for your pleasure and then stop feeding because you have your photos. |
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03/30/2004 10:59:08 PM · #11 |
And be prepared to have loud chirping birdies if you do happen to run out of seed before you wake up and then look out to a dozen or more birds sitting on the feeder waiting. I have quite a large feeder and since the warmer weather I've been having to fill it up daily.
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03/30/2004 11:29:00 PM · #12 |
All you need is a bag 50lb of white millet and a bag of sunflower seeds. Throw a pound of each on the sidewalk or on a board. Bingo.... You being in So. Florida should get all kinds of interesting species, especially the beautiful painted bunting.
What really attracts birds isn't a feeder but a water drip system. This way you can get species that aren't seedeaters, but warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and many other species. You can build one for under $10..0 by getting copper hose 1/4 in, attach it to a swamp cooler spicket(sp.?) or reducer from hose faucet and a off/on valve and let it drip into a bird bath on the ground. It really works well. I've had over 75 species bath & drink from mine here in Colorado. You could use your year round, I just started mine last week end, it will freeze. Van
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