Follow the link to one of my favorite pastimes ~ I am a birder ...

[In_The_Wind]

www.birdersworld.com

[Left_Winger]

1. This is also one of my favorite pastimes

As of late, I've been having problems with feral cats stalking the birds at my feeder/birdbath. I have seen them stalking the feeder and when I do, my presence outside usually chases them away. Do you have any advice about how to keep these feral cats away from the feeder when I'm gone?

[bertha katzenengel]

3. Hi, LW

Spill trays that hang off the bottom of a hanging feeder or connect a foot or two down the post of a post feeder will keep the seed off the ground.

Birds have wings. Birds have keen senses. They can and do escape.

:hi:

[Left_Winger]

7. Hi Bertha!

Good point about the spill trays, I have not thought of that. I placed the feeder and water in an area which is clear of ground clutter so that the birds can see what is around for quite some distance.

There is one remaining problem though: There are many doves and quail which feed in my yard and cannot fit on the feeder, therefore they must eat the seeds off the ground. I have noticed that the doves are slow on take-off and the quail are so docile that they allow me to walk around them, they will even come up to me, when I feed them. I think these birds are what is attracting the feral cats. I have thought of leaving out dry food as a "bribe" to keep the feral cats away from the feeder, but with all the insects and "creepy-crawlies" we have here in the deep south food dishes cannot be left long or they will be covered with these varmints (We even have flying cockroaches and once one of them flew right into the neck of my t-shirt; I invented a totally new "dance" when that happened, lol!).

I guess I will have to rely on the birds' natural instincts for survival. So far it looks as if the birds are ahead.

:hi:

[In_The_Wind]

4. I'm sorry to say this ~ Left_Winger

but there is nothing that any of us can do to stop natural predation ...

I also have a large population of raptors that feed on my flocks of songbirds.

However ... my suggestion would be for you to 'sink a sheppard's hook into a clear spot of your lawn', thereby removing most of the predator's vantage spots.

[Left_Winger]

8. I also have hawks which cruise my area

I watched a pair float above the tree tops for about thirty minutes yesterday before they went on to other places.

My feeder is mounted on a shepard's hook which is under a tree and free from ground clutter for at least fifty yards in all directions.

:hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

2. Thanks for the link, Joan.

Can't call myself a birder, but I am fascinated by birds and keep feeders for them.

:hi:

[In_The_Wind]

5. You are very welcome ~ bertha katzenengel!

The more we all know and understand about our avian population the better. Birds are the most susceptible to changes in our environment. As our world becomes less and less wildlife friendly more birds join the ever growing endangered list.

I feed and provide safe drinking water for the birds year round. They provide an endless source of joy with their happy antics!

[scarlet_owl]

6. I'm a birder, too.

Have you visited the DU birding group?

[In_The_Wind]

13. Hi ~ scarlet_owl

I haven't visited the 'birding group' since before the summer started ...

thanks for the reminder ...

[KatyaR]

9. I used to laugh at a college roommate who would get up before dawn

to go birdwatching--now I wish I had gone with her! Maggie and I have a birdfeeder for the first time in a while, and it's been fun for both human and dog. We have a cardinal couple who come by several times a day, as well as a few bluejays and lots of sparrows and other birds. I can't always identify them, but they've been fun to watch. One day we had 15 little birds taking turns at the feeder at the same time--it was like watching a ballet.

[In_The_Wind]

16. I think birds are beautiful bundles of joy, full of exuberance.

fifthgendem

[WCGreen]

10. Lets all give joani the bird.....

[In_The_Wind]

14. My Darlin' Chris ...

I have so many birds ...

however ...

one or two more would always be welcome ...









BTW ... did you mean this type of bird ~ ~ ~>

[XemaSab]

11. *bird nerd*

I would like to say, simply:

579... stay the course... bird nerd... bring 'em on... 579.... mission accomplished... stay the course... don't buy gas unless you need to... 579... stay the course.

Also, if anyone knows where I can get a rusty blackbird, a sedge wren, or a yellow rail, please feel free to share. :)

[XemaSab]

12. Yellow blackbird...

Rusty rail.....

[KG]

15. hey, i'm a birder, too!

i like to flip them at RW morons! :)