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July 26, 2007
Conserving suet
Most of the birds in our backyard are suet junkies. I can put out a squishy cake of this animal fat in the morning, and the starlings and jays and other big-mouths will go through the whole thing by day’s end.
Although feeding the birds and watching them at the feeders is a relaxing pastime, I can’t afford to be the Mother Teresa of the bird world.
So — true confession — I only put out suet when I am around to enjoy the show (and when I am around to rap on the window to scare away the starlings for a minute or two).
A friend suggested a new way of dispensing suet.
Instead of simply taking the suet out of its plastic container and sticking the suet cake in the hanging wire basket, one leaves the suet cake in the plastic and hangs the wire basket upside down, as pictured above.
The thinking is that it’s tough for the grackles to eat the suet, while the nimbler smaller birds like chickadees and nuthatches can still get their chow.
I’ve tried it for few days now, and I still have lots of suet left in the cake. So far, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, red-bellied woodpeckers, downies, chickadees, titmice an
d nuthatches have mastered the suet cake.
A blue jay landed, tried to peck through the plastic, and gave up.
I see that feeder companies actually sell upside-down suet dispensers, and they look nicer than my contraption, but for now mine works just fine.
And the smaller birds don’t get bullied by the grackles and other big boys.
6 comments
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My apologies for not answering sooner. A suet feeder would likely attract birds. You might check to make sure that your feeders are near some shrubs or trees so the birds have some protection.
If your birdseed is old, might try some new stuff.
A bird store like Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park might be able to advise, too… -
PLS some advice!!!!
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i want 2 attract birds to my yard but have no luck i have 2 feeders and a thistle feeder with thistle plus a bird bath but no birds can you help!! PLS email me some tips jennie.softball@gmail.com . PLS help!!
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i want 2 attract birds to my yard but have no luck i have 2 feeders and a thistle feeder with thistle plus a bird bath but no birds can you help!! PLS email me some tips jennie.softball@gmail.com . PLS help!!
-
Dear Ratmond,
If you don’t live in bear territory, you’re not feeding waterfowl, and you’re not using bread and the like, you should go right ahead and feed the birds if you enjoy it. -
Should you be feeding birds in the spring and summer months?
Leave your comment
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6 comments
jim wright
My apologies for not answering sooner. A suet feeder would likely attract birds. You might check to make sure that your feeders are near some shrubs or trees so the birds have some protection.
If your birdseed is old, might try some new stuff.
A bird store like Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park might be able to advise, too…
Jennie
PLS some advice!!!!
Jennie
i want 2 attract birds to my yard but have no luck i have 2 feeders and a thistle feeder with thistle plus a bird bath but no birds can you help!! PLS email me some tips jennie.softball@gmail.com . PLS help!!
Jennie
i want 2 attract birds to my yard but have no luck i have 2 feeders and a thistle feeder with thistle plus a bird bath but no birds can you help!! PLS email me some tips jennie.softball@gmail.com . PLS help!!
Jim Wright
Dear Ratmond,
If you don’t live in bear territory, you’re not feeding waterfowl, and you’re not using bread and the like, you should go right ahead and feed the birds if you enjoy it.
Ratmond Edel
Should you be feeding birds in the spring and summer months?