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Post by binnylou on May 28, 2020 13:13:51 GMT -5
Do you put out a thistle seed feeder for the goldfinches? In previous years, we’ve used the plastic tubular feeder with multiple feeding spots. It’s messy, bigger birds waste the seed, and it’s expensive to feed this way.
About a month ago, hubby purchased one of those preloaded mesh bag feeders for the finches. The price was about $3.50. It was an excellent investment. The bag thing eliminates the waste. We’ve had as many as nine finches at one time...either clinging to it, resting on the hook that supports it, or waiting in line on the deck railing.
I highly recommend this product, and need to get a spare.
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Post by tom 🕊 on May 28, 2020 13:36:08 GMT -5
Do you put out a thistle seed feeder for the goldfinches? I get goldfinches on sunflowers and zinnias and told a birdwatcher about it, thinking he might want to plant some. He denied that goldfinches were drawn to sunflowers and zinnias. As luck would have it, one day he was at my kitchen table with his back to the window, and I said, "All you have to do to see goldfinches is turn around."
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Post by binnylou on May 28, 2020 14:59:38 GMT -5
tom 🕊...I’ll be having zinnias in the flower garden. If the finches find them, that’s great. This bag feeder hangs on the deck and hubby can watch them from his seat at the kitchen table. He enjoys them.
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Post by Wheelgarden on May 28, 2020 15:00:08 GMT -5
Goldfinches on the sunflowers and zinnias are a regular summer scene here, too.
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Post by martywny on May 29, 2020 4:37:22 GMT -5
The goldfinches here really like the sunflower seed, which I have in two feeders. Quite often you can look out the window and see 20 or more of them feeding. They look like dandelions on the lawn.
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Post by James on May 31, 2020 12:38:28 GMT -5
No Goldfinches here. Have the House Finch.
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Post by James on Jun 3, 2020 15:55:14 GMT -5
I feed cracked corn, millet, sunflower and dry cat food. (The cat food for the magpies)
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Post by James on Jun 15, 2020 10:46:17 GMT -5
On the feeder today, Eu Doves, Starling, RWBB, Spug, Magpie, House Finch.
Spug = House Sparrow, English Sparrow (as a youth out on the farm, we called them Spugs. When I got my first bird book, they were labeled English Sparrow, some later books labeled them House sparrow. ) Passer domesticus, first introduced into New York in 1851, it quickly expanded and multiplied until it is now clear across the country and up into Canada. They live around people, from the farm to the city streets.
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Post by binnylou on Jun 15, 2020 11:17:12 GMT -5
The nuthatch has discovered the bag of thistle seed. Previously, he was content to clean the deck floor where the goldfinches had dropped seeds, but he’s moved up in the world and now “eats from the table”.
I can hear him out there now, making his little honking sounds.
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Post by James on Jun 17, 2020 8:40:13 GMT -5
Good on the nuthatch. Don't know that I have ever seen one in these parts. Enjoy!
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Post by binnylou on Jun 17, 2020 10:46:05 GMT -5
Nuthatches are fun to watch, James. They hop up and down the tree limb looking for bugs. Even when they are on the underside of the limb, they don’t fall off. But...how would I know if they fell off or just jumped.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 18, 2020 4:26:39 GMT -5
Discovered a wren family in the wren house. I left it up all Winter. Neighbor puts his out in Spring and has no occupants. He's thinking they set up home in ours since it was available earlier. That Mamma wrennie sure can raise a ruckus!
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Post by datgirl on Jun 18, 2020 5:42:12 GMT -5
I just looked up to see a Hummingbird in the feeder this morning. I have it hanging right outside the kitchen window.
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Post by binnylou on Jun 18, 2020 22:20:42 GMT -5
This afternoon I was out in the flower garden...upside down between the dahlias and the delphiniums. The pale blue delphiniums are in bloom and the lady in the garden was wearing that pink shirt again. What’s a hummer to do? Belly up to the delphinium blossoms, of course.
I heard the telltale buzz that let me know I was being checked out. I’m still not sure why he didn’t leave the area when I stood upright. But he was busy and about 2 feet from my face. The coloring on his throat was the most intense crimson/orange/red I’ve ever seen. He was in the shade, so that may have intensified his coloring.
It was a nice treat.
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weedkicker
Blooming
The Utah high desert, zone 1-6 (it's a %$# crap shoot)
Posts: 179
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Post by weedkicker on Jun 18, 2020 23:17:31 GMT -5
Look between the two bird houses and you can see the home of a Western Kingbird. I tried to get a better angle but mommy and daddy just weren't having it. I think the juxtaposition of the nest and the two bird houses is kind of cool.
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