Hi! We have been following tweeters since Christmas, and I'd like to
say a few things. :) I was interested in the conversation on suet feeders
in particular. We have our suet feeder on a tree in our backyard right by
two seed feeders. It took a lot of time for birds to get the word around
that some suet was ready to eat. We got worried and even changed the suet a
few times, but finally some birds came and ate. And then some more birds
came and ate. And yet even more birds came and ate. Right now we have two
suet feeders and both are being eaten by Spotted Towhees, Black-capped and
Chestnut-backed Chickadees, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Downy woodpecker,
Song Sparrows, and House Finches. Also the scrub jays are making passes at
the suet feeder, but it's in vain because the scrub jays are too big and
clumsy to get on the suet feeders. They definitely can't hover over the
feeder like the kinglets! (Imagine that. A scrub jay hovering with those
big wings. Mmmmm hmmmm.) So you've got to wait a little while, and
experiment with different locations if they don't come after a lot of
waiting. Also, by the way, we're having a White-Throated Sparrow coming to
our feeder. It's a really bright, pretty, bird.

Anna Thomas :)
Silverton, OR
johnt at open.org