Thistle question
KeskusteluBirds, Birding & Books
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1vonlafin
I have recently ran across a large amount of old thisle (nyger) seed. The finches are refusing to eat it. After researching the net I have found that they will ignore old seed, I assume because the oil has dried up. My question is, should I throw it out, or do you think other birds might be interested?
2maggie1944
I'd say toss it. There might be a mold started in it.
3clamairy
I say dump a small portion where your ground feeders can get it, just to see if anyone eats it. Unless you don't want things like Blue Jays or Starlings to start hanging around. ;o) I feed all classes of birds. I have a bunch of feeders that close when bigger birds land on them, so I don't begrudge them left-over cereal and concrete bagel crumbs and such.
4jbd1
I'd second the "dump it" recommendation - even if it might appear fine, if the birds are ignoring it there's probably a good reason (mold or something else).
5clamairy
jbd1 and maggie, I've dumped out Thistle my Goldfinches wouldn't eat, only to have it snarfed down by everything else. Seems not all birds are as picky. Could be some varieties of 'spoilage' don't bother the bigger birds.
6maggie1944
totally true! and I don't claim to be an expert of any type; I just throw stuff out rather than be sorry later. Probably too much of the American throw it away mentality, huh?
7clamairy
Well, I'm an American, but both my parents lived through the Great Depression and I'm the youngest of 9 children. Due to my upbringing I have a hard time throwing out any kind of food! LOL I probably keep an army of Squirrels, Chipmunks and Crows alive.
8maggie1944
That may be where you get your sweet loving personality too. You always seem to make everyone feel at home and comfortable. I bet when people come to your house, you feed 'em, too. I grew up kind of an only child with a working mother and a withdrawn grandmother. There was a fair amount of food spoilage at our house and I carry on the tradition in my single person household. My dogs have diet restrictions, so out goes the old food. (-;
9clamairy
*blush* Thank you. You're very kind. Yes, I'm afraid I probably over-feed my guests. Lucking I haven't done that with my kids!
We have tons of spoilage here, as well. Things just get lost in the back of the fridge, and by the time I find them, well... it's too late. :o) So it goes. I do feed the bread with a few blue spots to the yard critters. Anything wearing a complete blue furry coat goes in the garbage. ;o)
We have tons of spoilage here, as well. Things just get lost in the back of the fridge, and by the time I find them, well... it's too late. :o) So it goes. I do feed the bread with a few blue spots to the yard critters. Anything wearing a complete blue furry coat goes in the garbage. ;o)
10maggie1944
Fortunately, our county just established a program where we can throw kitchen waste into the same bin as the yard waste and it all is taken to become compost. No more chicken bones in the land fill with all the plastic. We have three "bins" emptied every Monday: land fill junk; recycling; yard/kitchen waste. Progress, I believe. I also stopped feeding birds because I live in a mobile home and the bird feed encouraged the mice to come live under my house. Smelly, noisy, generally destructive. I don't like trapping the mice, nor starving the birds. But it seems best for now.
11clamairy
That's a great idea. We have our own compost heap in the back, but I don't add food stuffs. We already have enough Coyotes, Raccoons and Bears visit. Our garbage collectors aren't as progressive as yours, sadly.
Yes, the mice are an issue. We have had them in every single house we've ever inhabited. Even four cats couldn't discourage them. Now that we have a dog they seem to have been scared off.
Yes, the mice are an issue. We have had them in every single house we've ever inhabited. Even four cats couldn't discourage them. Now that we have a dog they seem to have been scared off.
12maggie1944
My two schnauzers (bred to chase rats and vermin) don't seem to even know mice exist. Greta Garbo, the younger female, loves to bark at cats and chase birds, futility. Nicky, the eldest, (ahem) doesn't much chase anything except treats. Greta has made efforts to see under the skirting of the house but I don't make it easy for her to go under there cuz its probably dirty and who knows what else she could get into. Today's dogs really aren't like the barn dogs, are they. And they do live longer and healthier.
Right now I am lonely for them both. I just put the two dogs in a kennel for a week because I'm off Tuesday on a brief vacation to the San Juan Islands. I am going to practice with my new digital camera, maybe do some sketches, and just relax.
Right now I am lonely for them both. I just put the two dogs in a kennel for a week because I'm off Tuesday on a brief vacation to the San Juan Islands. I am going to practice with my new digital camera, maybe do some sketches, and just relax.
13clamairy
My dog chases squirrels and rabbits, and my son when he's on his bike,
Have a fantastic time! I read in another group (the Green Dragon, I think) about your upcoming trip, and it sounds like a delightful destination not to mention a perfect time of year to visit there, maggie.
:o)
You will be missed here on LT, though.
Have a fantastic time! I read in another group (the Green Dragon, I think) about your upcoming trip, and it sounds like a delightful destination not to mention a perfect time of year to visit there, maggie.
:o)
You will be missed here on LT, though.
14maggie1944
thanks for kind words, I shall return about on the 7th I think, and I'll be happy to reconnect