[Carlsondm]

Do you have a water feature? We have a fountain .. flowing water .. and many birds. Try That.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by Carlsondm

Do you have a water feature? We have a fountain .. flowing water .. and many birds. Try That.

Yes we do, about ten feet from the feeder. Sometimes we see birds going under the fountain to “shower”. Love the birds. Which is why we miss them when they’re gone for a while.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by pacjag

Your feeders will also attract mice and rats, which will then attract snakes and coyotes. Be aware.

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

No need to feed the little birds they have plenty to eat and by doing so you turn them into food for the birds of prey sitting up in a tree waiting for an easy meal when they come to your feeder. And yes there are rodents eating the bird food and snakes eating the rodents.

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

That is actually a myth going back 60+ years.
For many years people were putting up houses for Purple Martins and Bluebirds believing these birds ate mosquitoes. In Minnesota they did a study and it was shown Martin's and bluebirds actually ate some mosquitos but not more than any other bird, and not in enough quantity to make a difference. What was discovered was Martin's and bluebirds preyed heavily on dragonflies. Dragonflies are the biggest predator of a mosquito. What people were actually doing is killing the natural predator of the mosquito and making the situation worse.

Yes -- Martins (plural) eat dragonflies but they are not in danger of being eradicated because of the Martins. Martins also eat crickets, worms, suet, and as you mentioned, mosquitos.

Not to worry, the dragonfly population is doing fine.

[joelfmi]

There with the snowbirds in Northeast waiting to get away from violence during the winter months

[Bellavita]

I feed the birds with three feeders I have lots of cover trees and bushes and yes I have rat baits to take care of them. Snakes and coyotes would be hard pressed to go after birds. Norway rats are everywhere all the palms and fruit trees. If you live in a new area with no shade it could be a problem. Btw I have plenty of snakes they eat other things like rodents and Lizards😎.

[merrymini]

Planting natural plants for the hummingbirds is best. The sugar water can go bad and hurt or kill the birds. I only put out worms for the bluebirds because I have a nest for them and hope to help this species of bird. I also have a great many nectar plants for all types of bird and butterflies. They manage pretty well on their own.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

It is illegal in Florida to feed SOME birds. Mostly those that are protected species because feeding can disrupt migration patterns. It is illegal to feed MOST wildlife in Florida. It is recommended if you have a bird feeder to clean it regularly.

"Feeders

Bird feeders may aid in the spread of disease among different species of birds. For this reason, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends scrubbing all bird feeders twice a month with a solution containing one part bleach to 10 parts water. If the feeders begin to attract bears or sandhill cranes, residents must stop feeding until these animals stop coming to the location."

Far as legal. In the course of conversation it came up that a person we know lives on a large property in Florida. Due to the property size they can own 5 and a half horses. Where do you get half a horse? Do you choose left half or right half or front or back.

Sandhill cranes, wow they are interesting. We're crossing the street. We are in no rush so just sit and wait for us. Yes, we can fly. Yes, it would be considerate we are permanent Villagers.
Aside, you never see squashed ones so they are playing with Villagers

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Thanks for a (finally) direct response to my question rather than the naysayer rsps.

As I said we have had bird feeder and birdhouse for eight years here. The birds always enjoyed the seeds and occupied the house compartments and bred. Never had a single issue re rodents or birds chirping “don’t feed me it’s against the law”.

I simply do not recall in prior summers birds migrating to a noticeable degree. I guess they are, although I did notice four small sparrow like birds on the feeder yesterday. Perhaps from a recent brood, left the birdhouse in back a few weeks ago.

Also there seems to be far less Sandhill cranes around. More migration I guess.

Perhaps the “Snowbird” thing applies to them too.

i noticed that too about the sandhill cranes, -they ARE around, just not in the usual places. i drive the area daily & noticed a lot of the birds were hanging out @ pond in the newer area on Marsh Bend Trail. i also heard birds will 'move out' before bad weather occurs.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by PugMom

i noticed that too about the sandhill cranes, -they ARE around, just not in the usual places. i drive the area daily & noticed a lot of the birds were hanging out @ pond in the newer area on Marsh Bend Trail. i also heard birds will 'move out' before bad weather occurs.

Coming from Wisconsin there's a interesting story about helping sandhill
cranes migrate to Florida.
They actually use piloted driven ultralight planes that lead a flock to the southland. Been doing that for years.

Also about feeding the birds, I miss Oriolos here in Florida.
We fed them oranges up north, so you'd think they would love Florida.

[Tvflguy]

OP update. Have seen quite a few Sandhill Cranes on golf courses. Nice. And our bird feeder had finally been visited by many small birds - looks to be the little sparrows that hatched from broods over a month ago.

Nice.

[Nick B]

Originally Posted by DAVES

Far as legal. In the course of conversation it came up that a person we know lives on a large property in Florida. Due to the property size they can own 5 and a half horses. Where do you get half a horse? Do you choose left half or right half or front or back.

Sandhill cranes, wow they are interesting. We're crossing the street. We are in no rush so just sit and wait for us. Yes, we can fly. Yes, it would be considerate we are permanent Villagers.
Aside, you never see squashed ones so they are playing with Villagers

You can own a quarter horse.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by DAVES

Far as legal. In the course of conversation it came up that a person we know lives on a large property in Florida. Due to the property size they can own 5 and a half horses. Where do you get half a horse? Do you choose left half or right half or front or back.

People that raise cattle, horses etc. on large property I heard get a big tax break in Florida.