Question about feeding birds
 

I really enjoy watching the birds that visit my feeders.

In another thread on TOTV, someone said that in TV, bird feeders attract rodents and rodents attract snakes - made it sound like a real problem. I don't have this problem in Illinois.

Since we don't live in TV yet, I would like to hear from people that are feeding birds now, or tried it and stopped.

Thanks.

Every few months there are "open house" discussions from various groups in TV on many topics. A couple of months ago, on the advice of a local expert in feeders and such, we set up a feeder tray (available at Lowes and Home Depot) hung from a shepherd's hook, and fill it with black oil sunflower seeds. It is gaining popularity with the winged "neighbors" and no varmint problem.

We put up a feed about two months ago when we moved in to Hemmingway. It is hanging from a shepards hook and filled with a wild bird seed mix from Home Depot. Mix contains milo, millet, cracked corn and sunflower seeds.

So far, no takers. Just don't see many birds in the area yet.

I think one of the problems is with the stored seed. Make sure it is in a secure plastic container so the rodents do not come into the garage and get at the seed. My neighbor left the seed in the bag sitting on the floor of the garage and ended up with mice and rats.

I have had a bird feeder for over a year. I get a lot of doves and some smaller birds. I am always filling the feeder and not once have I ever seen a rodent or a snake. We do have many, many geckos. I often wonder if they eat the feed. Our house is not near a pond so maybe this is a good thing. When you move to TV I encourage you to put up a feeder and see what happens. We live south of 466 and since moving here I have seen more birds in the newer areas. (If you feed them they will come!)

Good point about the storage in TV - gotta remember that. I currently store my bird seed inside an 8x8 yard barn.

birds and squirrels
 

I stopped feeding the birds here in Pennsylvania when the squirrels discovered the feeders and then moved in and set up housekeeping in our attic. They ate throught the vinyl siding and the louvers on the house and $1000.00 later paid to an exterminator we were finally rid of them. I will never put up another bird feeder; how about attracting birds with plants that produce berries?
Jeff

Bird feeders here are in competition with nature. There's plenty of natural food for the winged critters, so they get really picky with what's in feeders. It's not like up north where the weather and seasons can make food scarce.

feeding birds
 

Just wondering if anyone has a hummingbird feeder and does it work well

When we lived in Tampa, we had a bird feeder. One day I looked out the window and found rats having lunch.

I'm glad TV isn't in Tampa!

Hate to tell you, but I've also seen the little critters here in The Villages while riding in the golf cart. I've heard them called Citrus Rats.

Wildlife Buffet
 

I have always loved feeding birds and had many mourning doves which I loved. They do not feed directly from the feeder but pick up seeds off the ground. Along came a stray cat who promptly ate all the mourning doves. The doves are slow to flight and an easy catch. Now I have a hawk swooping in and taking the fledglings. Needless to say I have retired the feeder. I understand that it is the natural order of things but painful to watch. I also have cherry tomato plants and notice the fledglings love the tomato's which is OK with me.

Feeding birds
 

I don't agree that bird feeders compete with nature....it brings the birds to a location where you want them so that you can enjoy them.:icon_hungry:

I had feeders in Atlanta and was swamped by squirrels until I put up squirrel proff feeders....mine had tops shapped like coolie hats that the squirrells could not hang onto. My area of TV is too new for squirrels, so no problem here. There are not a lot of squirrels in the newer Villages S of 466 which is probably due to the lack of foliage, which love for nesting and safety.

Never had problems with rodents feeding on spilled seeds under the feeders; however, I did have mice invade the seed bags in the garage, so keep the seeds in a sealed plastic container such storage cartons you can buy at the hardware store.

Snakes?????, everyone reports having seen snakes around TV and they are invariably water moccasins......I have never seen a live snake in TV, but I know they are there. They must want to keep to themselves. So, no problem here.:shrug:

Insofar as humming birds are concerned....I have put out a couple feeders for them with no success. That is probably due to the fact that I am not located near one of their flyways and I am unable to attract them. I have seen them in TV, tho.

We had a feeder in PA. Everything enjoyed the seeds: deer, rats, mice, squirrels, and some birds. I didn't want to put one up in TV because I was afraid of attracting more red ants. (We already have enough of those in our backyard). I heard someone in TV was feeding the biggers birds (herons, etc.) and when they went home during the summer, the birds poked big holes in their screens on their lanais looking for the food!! Yikes!!!