Birding Advice Thread

[Hank Camacho]

Mrs. Camacho and I recently moved into a new house. We are next to a bit of woods and we frequently see tons of birds in our back yard. My wife is obsessed with cardinals and I would love to get a ton of those visitors to the yard. I bought us one of those bird feeders cameras and we've gotten a ton of birds but so far no cardinals on video.

I know literally knowing about birding but I think I would like to get started -- at least backyard birding.

Some initial questions:

1. Can I murder squirrels? How do I keep these assholes out of my birdfeeder?

2. The Merlin App seems like the gold standard. Is that right?

3. Can someone recommend good guides to get started? I know I can google it but I am looking for some help pointing me in the right direction from people more experienced.

 

[Jerry With A G]

For the most part screw the expensive specialty seed unless you are trying for different species of finches. Black oil sunflower seeds bring in cardinals like crazy.

You must kill the squirrels, they are relentless. 22. pump pellet gun, field tipped pellets, with barrel suppression. Quiet and very effective.

 

[Hank Camacho]

You must kill the squirrels, they are relentless. 22. pump pellet gun, field tipped pellets, with barrel suppression. Quiet and very effective.

My bird cam has an alarm I can use any time I spot one of the little vermin on my feeder. Thus far it appears pointless.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

 

[cole854]

Squirrel spinner feeder.....expensive but worth it, and hang it far enough away from trunk so they have to jump which activates the spin. We use 100% safflower seed and have cardinals most of the year.

 

[*CatinIL*]

Something like this will keep them off the feeder. The one I have doesn't have the gap. My feeder is on one inch steel plumbers pipe which I drove into the ground. And keep it far enough away from trees or fences so that they can't jump above it. And Jerry is spot on about black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

 

[Tskware]

Took a tour of the Arboretum last year with the local bird group, was well worth two hours of time, learned about the two (or three?) kinds of vultures around here, several hawk species, even saw a brilliant red headed woodpecker briefly. Was a lot more interesting than I expected.

Several years ago, we had a Great Horned Owl in the evergreen tree behind our house, could set your watch at 5:30 or so and he would appear. Then took off and have never seen him again, although we hear them from time to time in the arboretum.

And yes, I was told that Merlin is the bomb.

 

[Hank Camacho]

Took a tour of the Arboretum last year with the local bird group, was well worth two hours of time, learned about the two (or three?) kinds of vultures around here, several hawk species, even saw a brilliant red headed woodpecker briefly. Was a lot more interesting than I expected.

Looks like they've got another one on December 1. Thanks!

 

[BC_Wader]

If you like bird watching and live in Kentucky, do yourself a favor and head to Peabody WMA. You have to have a $15 permit to be in there but it's well worth it. I fish there a lot and when I eat a lunch on the boat, I always marvel at the birds. Lots of eagles, ospreys, owls, hawks, falcons, and many types of non raptors. My favorite is the Red Winged Blackbird. It loves the grassy areas and it's call is my favorite.

 

[rudd1]

-South Dakota for pheasant.

-Arkansas for ducks/geese.

-Turkey and Dove can be sourced locally.

-hope to head to Maine next year for grouse.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Something like this will keep them off the feeder. The one I have doesn't have the gap. My feeder is on one inch steel plumbers pipe which I drove into the ground. And keep it far enough away from trees or fences so that they can't jump above it. And Jerry is spot on about black oil sunflower seeds.

The baffle keeps the squirrels off my feeder. It does not have a gap. Those sides are pulled together and hooked by the lips on the baffle. Squirrels try and learn it’s not worth the work and give up.

Cardinals love the sunflower seeds.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Ahhhh, the rare, bearded road rage bird. Nice catch.

 

[IdaCat]

My experience with bird feeders:

Birdseed attracts hundreds of birds.
Birdseed falls to the ground and attracts mice.
Mice attracts snakes.

If you want your yard FILLED with all these critters then go for it.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Ahhhh, the rare, bearded road rage bird. Nice catch.

Found in any Florida Walmart parking lot

 

[JPFisher]

If you're looking for cardinals, sunflower seeds will be your go-to.

Orioles, a neotropical migrant, loves the color orange and loves things like oranges and jellies. Try tossing out orange feeders and fruit in the late spring, summer, and early fall. They're beautiful and my second favorite bird.

Cornell's Merlin bird app is the best of the best. If you want to be able to ID birds based exclusively on sound, check out Larkwire. Larkwire presents you with bird calls in a gaming format. I know dozens of wildlife professionals who've used that resource to learn their birds.

Sibley field guides are regarded by my birder friends as the best of the best. Peterson guides are okay. Audubon guides, tragically, kind of suck.

For squirrels, definitely consider using a baffle if the feeders are on a pole. If you have the ability to string a line up, make sure the feeders are too far away for squirrels to jump onto the feeders from above or below. Toss 2-3" PVC onto the lines on either side of the feeder(s). Squirrels shouldn't be able to get to the feeder(s).

You could also kill them. Look up the laws in the state and municipality (if applicable) and of course, exercise proper firearm safety.

Lastly, plant native plants. Roundstone Native Seed is a great resource in Upton, Kentucky. One of the greatest crises facing birds today is a lack of protein. A lot of folks think that birds just love nectar or seeds or fruit, and they do, but like us, they desperately need protein. Between agricultural neonicotinoid application, habitat loss, and connectivity issues, insect populations are crashing.

Natives can harbor more insects than invasives. By planting natives like Helianthus maximiliani, Echinacea purpurea, Campsis radicans, Solidago gigantea, and more, you not only provide aesthetic value to your yard/garden, but also vines for hummingbirds, seed forage for finches, and stems for insects to consume and deposit eggs in. If you leave the leaves in your yard, but blow them away from the sides of your house in the fall, those leaves will harbor luna moth eggs and larvae, lightning bugs, native bees, and other beneficial insects. All these things go a long way in making your yard a veritable oasis in what could otherwise be a regional food desert for birds. Building a diverse mini ecosystem in your back yard will bring in greater diversity and support greater numbers at less birdseed cost to you in the long run.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

 

[Hank Camacho]

THANKS!

 

[JPFisher]

THANKS!

No problem! I'm trying to get in with a state or fed agency as a conservation biologist, so this stuff is right up my alley. I could talk nature all day.

 

[cordmaker]

If you like bird watching and live in Kentucky, do yourself a favor and head to Peabody WMA. You have to have a $15 permit to be in there but it's well worth it. I fish there a lot and when I eat a lunch on the boat, I always marvel at the birds. Lots of eagles, ospreys, owls, hawks, falcons, and many types of non raptors. My favorite is the Red Winged Blackbird. It loves the grassy areas and it's call is my favorite.

BC, you from Muhlenberg, I grew up hunting and fishing at Gibraltar coal mines, do some trout fishing on the WMA