Scott,
It sounds like most of the birds that you wish to frequent your suet
feeder are of the smaller variety. Where I work, we sell a suet feeder
that is encased in wire mesh that has 1 1/2 inche squares. It allows
smaller birds to fly in easily but leaves out the Starlings. It
unfortunately leaves out Hairy Woodpeckers and Flickers also but does
leave room for Downys. We also sell a suet cake which is just suet and
dehydrated insects. The Starlings don't like it as well but the other
suet eating birds still eat it. You should check out your local store
for birdfeeding supplies. They may have one of these solutions for you.
Or call email me and I may be able to help you find one. (Bushtits at
your feeder! I'm envious. But I have Pileated Woodpeckers.)

Yvonne Bombardier
Everett, Wa
ravenn at premier1.net
________________________________________________________________

S. Downes wrote:
>
> Tweets,
> Once again starlings have taken over the suet. Despite the fact that I
> live in a city apartment the suet gets quite a bit of use when the
> starlings are gone like flocks of Bushtits, BC Chickadees and even the
> occassional GC and RC kinglets investigate it. My question is, is there
> anything that might help deter the starlings so the other species can use
> the suet feeder? The suet feeder already is free hanging and chasing them
> away just does not work as sooner or later they come right back.
>
> Thanks for any ideas,
>
> Scott Downes
> sdownes at u.washington.edu
> Seattle WA
>
> "Birds don't read bird books. (That's why they are seen doing things they
> are not supposed to do)." -Mary Wood