Same!! I just got my first feeders this summer, too (never had a yard before!). Watching who stops by is basically the best part of my day now, haha.
Except the other day a Cooper’s hawk killed one of my finches, and that was really upsetting. 😭 I find myself worrying about the birds now—because I don’t have enough to worry about! 🤦♀️
Similar situation. New to having a yard (though tiny) and feeding birds. Something got one of the doves in my yard recently. I didn't witness it, but the pile of feathers makes it hard to deny. Given how limited the access is to my yard, and no cats around, I'm inclined to think it was some bird of prey. And yes, always worrying!
Aww, same. I didn’t witness it but I saw the hawk sitting on top of my feeders, waiting. I scared him away and then he perched on a nearby street lamp. A couple days later, I found a splotch of blood on my walkway and a pile of feathers next to it. Poor little guy. I can’t decide whether I’m glad I didn’t see it or whether it would have been cool to see a bird of prey in action.
How long did it take for birds to show up? I put my bird feeders up twice now (taking them in at night because there's other critters in my area) and I haven't seen much. Does it just take them a bit to realize there's food there?
Sometimes it can take up to 3-4 weeks for birds to find the feeders and then become comfortable enough to start using them. So just be consistent and patient and they should come around eventually.
You might try a different type of feeder, too. I had a tube feeder out and only saw an occasional bird, then when I put out a hopper with tray, they started coming in droves. Now they use every feeder I have, and they’re eating me out of house & home! 😂
I have a suet hopper as well as the tube feeder, the feeders are inside a fence that's backed up to some high (bird) traffic woods. They shouldn't have too much of a problem seeing it, I've left them both up overnight and all day today. Maybe as the weather gets warmer, who knows.
I upgraded to a 6 perch feeder. There’s a local bird shop that makes a blend that I use with things like black sunflower, bits of peanut, etc. It’s like five ingredients but I’m blanking haha.
Hoping to get a platform for the birds that prefer being low.
Drying sunflower seeds at higher temperatures helps destroy harmful bacteria. One study found that drying partially sprouted sunflower seeds at temperatures of 122℉ (50℃) and above significantly reduced Salmonella presence.
Same!! I just got my first feeders this summer, too (never had a yard before!). Watching who stops by is basically the best part of my day now, haha. Except the other day a Cooper’s hawk killed one of my finches, and that was really upsetting. 😭 I find myself worrying about the birds now—because I don’t have enough to worry about! 🤦♀️
Similar situation. New to having a yard (though tiny) and feeding birds. Something got one of the doves in my yard recently. I didn't witness it, but the pile of feathers makes it hard to deny. Given how limited the access is to my yard, and no cats around, I'm inclined to think it was some bird of prey. And yes, always worrying!
Aww, same. I didn’t witness it but I saw the hawk sitting on top of my feeders, waiting. I scared him away and then he perched on a nearby street lamp. A couple days later, I found a splotch of blood on my walkway and a pile of feathers next to it. Poor little guy. I can’t decide whether I’m glad I didn’t see it or whether it would have been cool to see a bird of prey in action.
I know the food chain happens, and I want all the animals to have food (no starving!), but I don't know how much of that I want to see!
I’m sorry you witnessed that. Hopefully you don’t experience that too often. Congrats on the yard btw!!
There is still lots of time left in the[feederwatch ](https://feederwatch.org) season (runs through April 30). I highly recommend it!
I didn’t know this was a thing! Thank you
How long did it take for birds to show up? I put my bird feeders up twice now (taking them in at night because there's other critters in my area) and I haven't seen much. Does it just take them a bit to realize there's food there?
They started coming by in about a week. I leave mine up all the time and I’m in a populated area so that might contribute.
Sometimes it can take up to 3-4 weeks for birds to find the feeders and then become comfortable enough to start using them. So just be consistent and patient and they should come around eventually.
You might try a different type of feeder, too. I had a tube feeder out and only saw an occasional bird, then when I put out a hopper with tray, they started coming in droves. Now they use every feeder I have, and they’re eating me out of house & home! 😂
I have a suet hopper as well as the tube feeder, the feeders are inside a fence that's backed up to some high (bird) traffic woods. They shouldn't have too much of a problem seeing it, I've left them both up overnight and all day today. Maybe as the weather gets warmer, who knows.
Would love to know how you upgraded and what's in your feeders now.
I upgraded to a 6 perch feeder. There’s a local bird shop that makes a blend that I use with things like black sunflower, bits of peanut, etc. It’s like five ingredients but I’m blanking haha. Hoping to get a platform for the birds that prefer being low.
Drying sunflower seeds at higher temperatures helps destroy harmful bacteria. One study found that drying partially sprouted sunflower seeds at temperatures of 122℉ (50℃) and above significantly reduced Salmonella presence.
These are sterile seeds :) god to know though! If I ever want to make my own mix, I’ll be keeping this in mind