Re: [Maine-birds] Brown-headed cowbirds and a question

Hi Dave,

 

 

Both bird movement and seed freshness have everything to do with why you may or may not be seeing birds on your feeders at any particular time. 

 

For example, Nyjer (often called "thistle" although it is an unrelated plant; we don't actually put thistle in "thistle feeders!") feeds finches almost exclusively (though chickadees, sparrows, Mourning Doves, and others will often take it, especially when fed on platforms or the ground).  Finches are also famous for being nomadic, moving around regionally throughout the year in search of native food sources - birch and alder seeds being favorites.  Goldfinches are around all year, but their numbers fluctuate drastically, often based on birch crops.  Common Redpolls irrupt into Maine about every other year, and many of us saw flocks of Common Redpolls this winter, some at feeders, many in stands of Speckled Alder.  

 

Chances are that any finches in your area did not need to seek out supplemental food (which is what backyard birdfeeding really is) from your feeding station.  With nothing eating your seed, it likely started to spoil and/or dry out, therefore losing nutritional value. Birds can tell when seed has gone bad and then will ignore it.  In fact, studies have shown that chickadees actually pick up individual sunflower seeds and are able to "weigh" them.  Seed that is dried out is lighter, so birds - think of a chickadee that has to fly all of the way from a feeder to a tree to hammer open a seed as they cannot manipulate most shells in their bills - reject them in favor of the most bang for the buck. Sometimes that makes feeders full of cheap, stale seed "go down" as birds reject and drop a large percentage of the seeds.

 

And, the age and quality of the seed you purchase, and then store, also fits into the equation.  If you purchase seed that has been sitting in a store for months (or in some cases, years), that seed has already begun the process of deterioration, even in a sealed bag.  So, you will get the best results by purchasing fresh seed, and then using it up within 1 - 2 months.  Nyjer is high in fat, so goes rancid more quickly than some other seeds.   All seed should be stored in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh for as long as possible.

 

Hope that helps,

Jeannette

 

------------------
Jeannette and Derek Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
Ph: (207)865-6000/Fax: (207)865-6069
http://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/
Visit our E-store http://store.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/

From: David Rankin <darkfirefalcon@gmail.com>
To: David Small <docfinsdave@gmail.com>
Cc: Maine-Birds google list <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Brown-headed cowbirds and a question

Brown-headed Cowbirds (and many other birds) are just returning to Maine, so the season will have a big impact on what birds and how many you see. 

David Rankin

On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 8:36 AM, David Small <docfinsdave@gmail.com> wrote:

I saw my first ever brown-headed cowbirds at my

feeders (Old Town) this morning.

 

I hung a nyger sock two months ago and have

only noticed a few birds on it. I'm wondering

if it's the sock, availability of different seed,

season or what...please advise.

 

Thanks,

Dave

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