[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jojo

We have lots of songbirds (cardinals, blue birds, scarlet tanagers, mockingbirds etc.) at our home in Amelia. They particularly like our bottlebrush trees. Shrubbery helps. I so enjoy the cheerful chirping. They are particularly active now.

Most birds sing a pleasant song. But, Mockingbirds and crows are pretty unpleasant.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

TOTALLY agree. I have a neighbor that has 2 bird feeders and what it attracts is squirrels!! They feed at the bird feeders and then come over and go on my roof. They also climb on my lanai screen. I've tried repellent sprays to deter the squirrels from going on my roof (I have a tree they climb up) but it hasn't worked.

So no... please don't install bird feeders in your backyard.

Spray them with wasp and hornet spray and if that does not work - try bear mace.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

It's not my birdfeeder! It belongs to my neighbor.
I guess my comment is - when you put in a birdfeeder realize you may be creating a frustrating situation for your neighbors. I'm tired of squirrels on my roof and on my lanai screen.

Yes, see, they are pests........buy some bear mace!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

songbirds? never seen songbirds are here. although I'd ask your neighbors, they might not want all the pests that come with it which will include snakes

Snakes are everywhere in Fl. Just hope they are the good snakes - the black snakes.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Hope they like the rats and squirrels too. My sister installed a bird feeder and had squirrels doing back flips on the feeder and they were constantly running up on her lanai screen. She took down the bird feeder.

There is an unbelievable true story ( see on U-tube) about a guy that wanted to find out JUST how resourceful and SMART a squirrel could be and he set up a squirrel obstacle course that forced them to walk on tight ropes and revolving Ferris wheels and many other obstacles to get to the food. It's REALLY entertaining they fall down and have to go back to the start of his course, but they NEVER stop - they get highly motivated!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Spray them with wasp and hornet spray and if that does not work - try bear mace.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Yes, see, they are pests........buy some bear mace!

Does that work on all pests?

Asking for a friend...

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by dougjb

Wind chimes are the bane of civilization. Silence is natural. Wind chimes are not!

Bird feeders rank #2 on the bane of civilization. Let the birds be natural and feed as they naturally do. You do not need to sully your neighbor's cement patio with bird droppings!

"The bane of civilization" - That would be a good thread starter. I would add - children driving Golf Carts and adults playing with fireworks on July 4th and New Year's day.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Does that work on all pests?

Asking for a friend...

[annecobb]

Originally Posted by TimDar1976$

Just moved into DeLuna. There are very few songbirds around.
Is there any rules against having a small bird feeder in the back yard ?
Tim Farris

i am sure there is no law against it but I got rid of my bird feeder and bird bath after watching on numerous occasions, hawks swooping down like aerial assassins to consume them. I watched in horror the disemboweling of a little bird and thought - not worth it. I see other hawks and predator birds sitting on rooftops watching the bird feeders doing the same and getting great results. This was also a problem in Maryland and our community voted against having them because it drew the Cooper Hawks, etc. Yes, this is their land, etc but I dont think we should make is so easy for these birds to hunt the feeders. And to lure the little birds to feeders only to become bait did not seem like a fair fight. But I did love watching the birds feed and knock seed down for the ground feeders. But everyone has to make their own decision.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by annecobb

i am sure there is no law against it but I got rid of my bird feeder and bird bath after watching on numerous occasions, hawks swooping down like aerial assassins to consume them. I watched in horror the disemboweling of a little bird and thought - not worth it. I see other hawks and predator birds sitting on rooftops watching the bird feeders doing the same and getting great results. This was also a problem in Maryland and our community voted against having them because it drew the Cooper Hawks, etc. Yes, this is their land, etc but I dont think we should make is so easy for these birds to hunt the feeders. And to lure the little birds to feeders only to become bait did not seem like a fair fight. But I did love watching the birds feed and knock seed down for the ground feeders. But everyone has to make their own decision.

Great post. Good posts. There are numerous small gray predator birds around. I call them goshawks, but I think there is a more correct name. Better that they eat mice and rats and hopefully squirrels than having them eat SONGBIRDS. I think that the best situation for increasing the population of small birds is to provide COVER for them in your yard - one good way is to plant a row of viburnums.

[Davonu]

Bird feeders are okay. I wouldn't want to miss out on stuff like this...

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

There is an unbelievable true story ( see on U-tube) about a guy that wanted to find out JUST how resourceful and SMART a squirrel could be and he set up a squirrel obstacle course that forced them to walk on tight ropes and revolving Ferris wheels and many other obstacles to get to the food. It's REALLY entertaining they fall down and have to go back to the start of his course, but they NEVER stop - they get highly motivated!

I've seen this video before. Thank you for reminding me of it. It is a riot.

EDIT: I don't know why this video will not automatically start from the beginning. Go to the beginning manually to view it........

https://youtu.be/hFZFjoX2cGg

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I've seen this video before. Thank you for reminding me of it. It is a riot.

EDIT: I don't know why this video will not automatically start from the beginning. Go to the beginning manually to view it........

https://youtu.be/hFZFjoX2cGg

You are VERY welcome. I thought that some other people might like to see just how resourceful squirrels can be. They are very smart little mammals. I imagine that IF they were as BIG as a Tiger that the population of humans would be taking a nosedive!

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

You are VERY welcome. I thought that some other people might like to see just how resourceful squirrels can be. They are very smart little mammals. I imagine that IF they were as BIG as a Tiger that the population of humans would be taking a nosedive!

Anyone watch the video? I know it is long; just over 20 minutes. But, it is so worth it. Here is the link......

https://youtu.be/hFZFjoX2cGg