Mr. Dominguez, I had you as my 5th and 6th grade band teacher at Westgate Elementary in 2006/2007. You used to cross the field to our house for clarinet lessons. I remember you were in to birding, it's so great to see you have a channel, especially since I live birds and ha e my own apartment now.
Hello Conor! Great to hear from you! I certainly remember sharing our musical experiences together! Where are you living now? If you have any birding questions or if I can help you in any way, please let me know! I also have a Nature blog at: eddominguez.gettingwildnorthwest.com that has some topics that might be of interest to you! Stay in touch! Ed
You are most welcome Tracy! Let me know how things go with your feeders. Join me on a bird outing sometime...you can see my weekly schedule every Monday on my blog: eddominguez.gettingwildnorthwest.com Thank you for subscribing!
Ed, are the black oil sunflower seeds too big for the tiny birds to eat or crack open? I want to save money so I'd rather not buy the pre-shelled patio mix. Thanks for another great video!!
Hi Janet, The black oil sunflower seeds are the perfect for all sizes and beak strengths. Striped sunflower seeds are larger and thicker shelled and thus may not be suitable for smaller birds with more slender beaks. Black oil shells are thin and easy to open for even the smallest songbirds. Enjoy feeding our feathered friends!! Ed
Hi Nina, occasionally rats will show up at the base of seed feeders. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) have followed European explorers and traders around the world and thrive in cities and rural areas. By the way, you can always differentiate these invasive rats by observing their scaly, hairless tails; our native rats have furred tails. Much of the time, ground feeding birds such as Dark-eyed juncos, sparrows, and towhees (and squirrels!) will clean up scattered seed from the feeder. You can also purchase a circular seed catching screen that hangs from the bottom of the tube feeder that will help keep the ground below the feeder clean. If rats still become a problem, take down your feeders for a week or so; the rats will move on to other food sources. When you put the feeders back out, the birds will quickly find them and return for your viewing pleasure. If the rats return, just take the feeders down again temporarily...birds are adaptable and will find other food sources until you put the feeders out again. Hope this helps and thank you for your question...keep appreciating our birds!! Ed
Mr. Dominguez, I had you as my 5th and 6th grade band teacher at Westgate Elementary in 2006/2007. You used to cross the field to our house for clarinet lessons. I remember you were in to birding, it's so great to see you have a channel, especially since I live birds and ha e my own apartment now.
Hello Conor! Great to hear from you! I certainly remember sharing our musical experiences together! Where are you living now? If you have any birding questions or if I can help you in any way, please let me know! I also have a Nature blog at: eddominguez.gettingwildnorthwest.com that has some topics that might be of interest to you! Stay in touch!
Ed
Thank you for this great educational video about setting up a bird feeding station!!!!!
You are most welcome Tracy! Let me know how things go with your feeders. Join me on a bird outing sometime...you can see my weekly schedule every Monday on my blog: eddominguez.gettingwildnorthwest.com Thank you for subscribing!
3:00 intruder stalking the seeds :)
@3:00 I can see the squirrels are terrified of you.
They know I'm a pushover Chris! They get plenty of peanuts from me!
Ed, are the black oil sunflower seeds too big for the tiny birds to eat or crack open? I want to save money so I'd rather not buy the pre-shelled patio mix. Thanks for another great video!!
Hi Janet, The black oil sunflower seeds are the perfect for all sizes and beak strengths. Striped sunflower seeds are larger and thicker shelled and thus may not be suitable for smaller birds with more slender beaks. Black oil shells are thin and easy to open for even the smallest songbirds. Enjoy feeding our feathered friends!! Ed
Do you have a problem with rats due to the seeds on the ground from the feeders? What do you suggest to deter them?
Hi Nina, occasionally rats will show up at the base of seed feeders. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) have followed European explorers and traders around the world and thrive in cities and rural areas. By the way, you can always differentiate these invasive rats by observing their scaly, hairless tails; our native rats have furred tails. Much of the time, ground feeding birds such as Dark-eyed juncos, sparrows, and towhees (and squirrels!) will clean up scattered seed from the feeder. You can also purchase a circular seed catching screen that hangs from the bottom of the tube feeder that will help keep the ground below the feeder clean. If rats still become a problem, take down your feeders for a week or so; the rats will move on to other food sources. When you put the feeders back out, the birds will quickly find them and return for your viewing pleasure. If the rats return, just take the feeders down again temporarily...birds are adaptable and will find other food sources until you put the feeders out again. Hope this helps and thank you for your question...keep appreciating our birds!! Ed