Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!husc6!mailrus!cornell!oravax!john
From: john@oravax.UUCP (John Gregoire)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: A Rookie Birder
Summary: ideas
Keywords: feeders,nesting,squirrels
Message-ID: <432@oravax.UUCP>
Date: 4 Aug 88 13:00:00 GMT
References: <10982@grebyn.COM>
Organization: Odyssey Research Ass., Ithaca NY
Lines: 38

In article <10982@grebyn.COM>, richard@grebyn.COM (Richard Cohen) writes:

>            1) What kind of feeder is suggested to keep the squirrels away?
Expensive "squirrel proof" feeders are available. They have a counter-
weighted door that can be adjusted to accepted various bird weights on the
feeding perch and shut when the preset weight is exceeded. First, try a
hanging feeder weel away from tree trunks, proch, etc or mount one on
a pole with a conical guard about four feet up the pole. The greatest
variety of birds will, however, prefer to come to an open platform
type feeder. Don't forget to hang suet for the woodpeckers. Despite the
literature, I have a family of Hairys regularly using a suet ball.

>            2) What kind of birdhouse is suggested and what month do the
>                birds start using it?  I'd really like to have cardinals
>                or bluebirds use my birdhouse and there are quite a few
>                of these birds in my neighborhood.
You should be able to find a bird house book in the library. Entrance
hole size is critical to the type of bird desired as is the depth and
dimensions of the cavity. Cardinals prefer to build in protected
bushes. Bluebirds are happy to find the proper size box...you can get
plans from the North American Bluebird Society in Silver Spring, Md.
>            3) Are certain types of feed better than others.
Suet in balls or placed in a wire mesh cage will attract woodpeckers,
nuthatches, chickadees and several others. The best all-around seed,
favored by all seed eaters, is black oil sunflower (it is often the
least expensive as well). Fruit eaters such as Orioles, catbirds,
and waxwings will come to berries, cut apple , cut orange;it is
best to devise a small tray or a skewer to hold these in place. Lastly,
all birds are fascinated by slowly dripping water. Many hose restriction
devices are available or easy to make; try a drip rate of around one
drop/ten seconds to one per minute. Let it fall into a shallow pool
which will serve as a bath and drinking place.

Glad to see new birders.....best of luck and never hesitate to ask as
that's how we all learn.

P.S. Contact the Virginia Ornithological Society in your area, There
is also an excellent audubon club in Fairfax.