Every page like this has to have a section covering the most common
question concerning the topic - in this case backyard bird feeding.  I have
attempted to address most issues, but if you have an questions, please feel
free to contact me and I will try to answer as quickly as possible.

email Nancy

FAQ's

Q:  How can I prevent birds from striking my windows?
A: Since modern man has put up houses and tall buildings with glass windows, birds and window
strikes have been a problem.  To make things worse, when you feed birds, you bring them closer to
your house than they'd normally be, and striking windows is a common occurrence.  What you need
to do to prevent this, is break up the reflection in the glass so the birds don't see "open sky" when
they take off from the feeding area.  There are a few things you can try, but be aware that none are
100% effective when there's a hawk attack, or some other predator enters your yard.  When this
happens, the birds just scatter, and aren't always too careful about where they fly.  The best thing
you can do is put a screen on the outside of the window, but if that isn't an option you can try
putting some decals such as the plastic cling type on your window, or maybe hanging some sun
catchers with suction cups on the outside.  Another option is to install some mini blinds on the inside
of the window, and keep them partially closed to help break up any outside reflection.  I've also heard
of people putting up plastic streamers either attached to the window itself, or on a pole in front of
the window.  The movement of the streamers in the wind alerts the birds to a possible danger, so
hopefully they won't fly in that direction.  One item I've read about, but haven't personally tried yet is
a "Feather Guard".  Here are the instructions on how to make it.  (click here)   It does sound
interesting!

Q:  Help, there's a hawk stalking my bird feeders!  What can I do?
A: Basically there's nothing you should do, except try to make sure your feeders are near some
cover for the birds to fly to.  Hawks are protected by federal law, and it's a criminal offense to kill one.
 If your feeders are standing out in a wide open spot, think about moving them closer to the trees
(but not too close that squirrels can jump on them), or you might also think about making a brush
pile for the birds to escape into when the hawk attacks.  Old Christmas trees make instant brush
piles, and it's a nice way to recycle your old tree.  If nothing else, try to learn to admire the hawks for
their beauty, and think how lucky you are to see one of these elegant birds up so close.

Q:  I put out a bird feeder, but no birds have come to it.  I know there are birds in my yard,
so how can I entice them to the bird feeder?
A: Sometimes it will take a couple of weeks for a bird to find a new feeder, especially if you've never
fed the birds in your yard before.  You can try sprinkling some seed on the ground under the feeder
since a vast majority of birds are used to finding their food on the ground.  You could also try
putting some aluminum foil on or near the feeder.  This might help attract the eye of some passing
bird.   I've also heard of putting red bows on a feeder, again with the idea of catching a birds eye.  If
more time goes by without any takers, you might have the feeder in a bad spot.  Try moving it
somewhere else, maybe closer to some cover.

Q:  I've put up a birdbath, but the birds won't use it.  Is there anything I can do to attract
them to the bath?
A:  There are a few tricks you can try to attract birds to a birdbath.  First thing is to look at where
you have it.  If it's out in the middle of the yard, in a wide open spot, it won't be near as attractive to
a bird as it would be if it was near some trees or bushes.  Birds like to fly up into a safe spot to preen
their feathers after they've bathed, so having your bath near shelter makes it more appealing.  If you
have it in a good spot, and still no birds, you could try installing a dripper.  This can be as simple as a
dripping hose suspended over the bath, or you can buy an elaborate one in most bird supply stores.  
For some reason birds can't resist the sound of dripping or running water, and this is why a dripper
helps to attract them.  If your birdbath is in a good spot, and you have some kind of a dripper, but
there are still no birds using it, maybe it's just a matter of waiting a while.  I have a friend who has a
natural supply of water running near her house in the form of a drainage ditch, and it took months
before a bird used her birdbath for the first time.

Q:  The squirrels are eating all the seed in my bird feeder.  How can I prevent that?
A: The bird feeder industry seems to be hard at work to come up with the ultimate squirrel proof
feeder, and they are getting better and better.   If you are having a problem with squirrels, you might
want to invest in a good squirrel proof feeder on some type.  To read more information on this type
of feeder, check the Bird Feeder area of the Backyard Corner.  Feeder poles are another
consideration, and you will need some kind of baffle on them or the squirrels will just climb up and
make themselves at home.  So far from what I've read, and heard from friends, the most effective
pole baffle is one that's shaped like a stove pipe.   This type is too wide for a Squirrel to climb.  Also
remember to put your pole baffle high enough so a squirrel can't jump past it.  Squirrels are great
jumpers, and can jump 4 to 5 feet straight up.  There are also baffles that hang above a feeder, but
in my experience, they aren't always as effective as the ones you put on a pole, but they are better
than nothing, especially if you have them hanging on a long hook (over 18").  One other option that
might help with a squirrel problem, is "diversion feeding".  What this entails is setting up a feeding
area just for the squirrels with their own supply of food.  I do this in my yard, and although it doesn't
stop the squirrels from trying to get to the bird feeders, in most cases I don't think they try as hard
when they have food easily available to them.

Q:  Can I stop feeding the birds in the summer?
A: Yes, you can stop feeding the birds in the summer if you wish, but why take away that pleasure,
plus you'll miss seeing the adults bringing their babies to the feeders.  If you must stop though, it
won't hurt the birds in any way.  The most stressful times of the year for birds are winter, and
spring, and that would be a good time to leave your feeders up.  In late winter,and early spring, food
sources have more or less been used up, and your feeder might be of some benefit at these times.

Q:  I have to go on a trip, can I stop feeding the birds while I'm gone?
A:  Yes, you can stop feeding the birds while your away.  From what I've read, birds only take about
10% (or less) of food they need from bird feeders.  When a feeding station closes down, even
temporarily, birds will go back to natural sources of food, or find another feeder in the neighborhood.
 They say that the only time a bird might become dependent on a feeder is during very severe
weather such as bad snow or ice storms.  If possible, leave your feeders up during very bad weather.

Q:  I'm overrun with Grackles and other blackbirds.  Can I do anything to chase them away
so the smaller birds can eat?
A: I've been trying to solve this problem for years, without too much success.  Usually in my yard
this problem arises in the early to late fall when the blackbirds are gathering prior to migration.  I
switch from Black Oil Sunflower to Safflower seed in most of my feeders at this time, but I've found
that if there's nothing else available, the blackbirds will eat Safflower seed too.  I do put up some
squirrel proof caged feeders for the smaller birds, which are pretty effective at keeping Grackles out,
but it also eliminates other larger birds like Cardinals.  About the only thing you can do if your
problem is due to migration gathering, is wait them out.  Eventually they do dwindle down in
numbers, and some winters they're totally absent.  One other trick you can try if you're willing to go
through a bit more seed for a few weeks (I've tried this and it works to some extent), is set up a
diversion feeding area for them.  Load it up with cracked corn and sunflower seed, and hopefully most
of them will stay in that area.

Q:  Help, the Starlings are eating all my suet!  Is there anything I can do about it?
A:  I have an open door policy in my yard, but when the Starlings arrive in the spring, it really gets
put to the test.  Starlings can devour huge amounts of suet in no time flat.  What I do is put out a
caged suet feeder for the Downy's, and other small suet eating birds, and a "Suet Sandwich" (check
online for this item) for the Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, and Flickers.  This does help with the Starling
problem.  It doesn't stop them from trying, but if the caged suet feeder has a large enough
circumference, the Starlings just can't reach it.  As far as the "Suet Sandwich", if you just fill the very
middle of it, the Starlings can't reach it, but the Woodpeckers with their long tongue can.  Some
advice you will see recommends using an upside down suet feeder, but the Starlings in my yard seem
to have no problem at all hanging upside down from it and eating all the suet they want.  It might be
worth a try though in your yard if you have less agile Starlings.

Q:  How often do I have to clean my bird feeders?
A:  During hot weather I'd recommend cleaning them at least once a month.  Sooner if it's been very
rainy, since seed can get moldy fast when it's hot and wet, even if it's in a feeder that doesn't leak.  
In the winter you might not have to clean them as often, but it's a good idea to check them once a
month anyway.  It's also a good idea to shake your feeders, or stir the seed every few days, since
seeds and shells can get caught in tube feeder ports, or can lie on the bottom of a tube or hopper
feeder and get moldy from sitting.

Q:  Do I have to clean the area under my feeders?
A: Yes.  Many birds eat off the ground under feeders, and if you don't keep the area clean, disease
can spread due to feces being dropped on the ground where the birds are walking.  Another good
reason to keep that area clean is that seed and shells under the feeders will also attract vermin, such
as mice and possibly rats.  It's a good idea to rake up and dispose of the debris under your feeders
as often as you can.  I've even heard of people using shop vacs to vacuum up the seed debris, which
to me sounds like a great idea!