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Replies: 39
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All-In [41779]
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World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:04 PM
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No questions, no suggestions, in time all will be revealed.
That is what I tell my Bride when she wonders what I am up to.
As it is too hot for my old ### to work much, I do more thinking than working each day.
Having decades of experience know what a "world class bird feeder" should be. You can't buy it, have to build.
My yard needs a lot of work still as fire destroyed all.
-- I like durable with a decent capacity.
-- I like easy to clean.
-- Bottom of the list is "looks good", but I like that too.
-- Top priority is birds must like it.
I'll update and explain as this project progresses, lazy as I am, should have it in by Christmas.
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All-In [41779]
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CU Guru [1475]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:42 PM
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Looks great and hopeful you will update your progress plus some 'critter pics' in the future. Would be a good spot to bury TigerNeters ashes.
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Orange Blooded [3319]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:59 PM
[ in reply to Re: World Class Bird Feeder ] |
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It already looks impressive! Please keep sharing updates. I love bird feeders.
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CU Medallion [60490]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:09 PM
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Youse gots yoself sum thick woods there, coons will invade yo feeder.
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All-In [41779]
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invade yo feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:18 PM
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I like all critters. I have many feeders in the back, some 20 years old.
My place is full of coons, possums, deer, skunks, armadillos, squirrels, fox, etc. They entertain me, do me no harm.
The bear seldom shows, he can do damage.
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CU Medallion [60712]
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good because the squirrels are gonna love it!***
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:44 PM
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All-In [41779]
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Re: good because the squirrels are gonna love it!***
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:47 PM
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I hope so, they are as entertaining as the birds, often more so.
I do feed the squirrels.
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CU Medallion [56989]
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Re: good because the squirrels are gonna love it!***
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Jun 29, 2024, 5:34 PM
[ in reply to good because the squirrels are gonna love it!*** ] |
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I hate squirrels bc them MFs have ripped up every piece of padded pool furniture we've ever bought for the covered picnic area by the pool. I shoot as many as I see with a Benjamin 22 Cal Super Magnum pellet rifle to kill every one that I see in my yard, but after the winter months pass and spring comes in, it looks like somebody brought in a new load of squirrels and dumped them out. But I had two stray cats take up at my house that stay under the building that I keep my Harley in, I wouldn't not feed them anything at first bc like I told my wife that wanted to feed them, they are cats, and cats can survive on their own, and there is plenty of squirrels for them to catch and eat.
Well, I hardly ever see any squirrels anymore, and I don't want the cats moving off bc of the lack of squirrel for them to eat, so I bought a large bag of cat food and I give them a double hand full every day. If I see the squirrel population increasing, I'll stop feeding them. I do wish they would take off all those squirrel tales I find laying in the yard, but I pick those up every time I cut the grass put them in an outside trash can.
To be honest I've never liked cats, but the two that hang out under the building can stay. I think they like my yard bc it's fenced in, and the neighborhood dogs can't get to them here in my yard, and I haven't had to use my pellet rifle in a long time now...
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All-In [41779]
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I hate squirrels
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Jun 29, 2024, 5:40 PM
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-- one more reason why we can't be friends.
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All-In [28632]
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Re: good because the squirrels are gonna love it!***
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Jun 29, 2024, 6:59 PM
[ in reply to Re: good because the squirrels are gonna love it!*** ] |
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Live in a place now where we are over run with them. Can't shoot em, but before I moved here, I had squirrell magnets--huge pecan trees, 10 of them. Shot every squirrel I saw. You can never get rid of all of them. When you thin them out, more just move in. They are destructive rodents with bushy tails.
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All-In [41779]
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Shot every squirrel I saw
Jun 29, 2024, 7:05 PM
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Do like most here, kill the Doves, Deer, etc.
That makes one feel like a "real man".
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Orange Blooded [4168]
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Re: Shot every squirrel I saw
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Jun 30, 2024, 10:22 AM
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That’s one view. I never hunted or fished to feel like a man. I have taken quite a few deer in my time. If we didn’t have responsible harvesting of deer they would die off faster due to overpopulation and not enough food sources. I have never harvested a living thing that I didn’t eat.
Plants are more alive than most realize. Studies have found that forest trees communicate through a mitochondrial network of fungus. Yea, the trees have internet! They can warn of invading bugs that kill off trees. Harvesting ANY living thing should be viewed the same way. It’s only done for survival of our species. Imagine the sadness of the forest on the east coast when settlers harvested giant redwoods (yes, they used to thrive here) that were hundreds of years old.
Every time you eat meat, you’re killing a critter. Anyone who has had a farm will tell you pigs, cows, sheep, goats, and all farm animals have individual personalities. They even show love and appreciation. Having your burger or pork chop is no different than the trout I am about to smoke. It’s no different than me cooking a deer tenderloin. Some life had to be given. Even the veggies fall in the same category.
I am a staunch defender of all critters and plants. I also realize that I have to eat these things to live. I kinda feel your statement about killing critters to feel like a man were very myopic.
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CU Medallion [60712]
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Re: good because the squirrels are gonna love it!***
Jun 29, 2024, 11:25 PM
[ in reply to Re: good because the squirrels are gonna love it!*** ] |
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We had pecan trees in the backyard. We'd catch the squirrels, spray paint their tails white and release them on the other side of Lake Greenwood. Before long, you'd see a white-tailed squirrel hopping around the backyard. Insane.
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CU Medallion [59339]
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Haven't seen any white tailed squirrels on my side of
Jun 30, 2024, 11:30 AM
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Lake Greenwood but saw one in my yard last week with a tail the size of a rabbit's tail. You haven't chopped any off when you ran out of paint?
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All-TigerNet [12298]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:27 PM
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You talkin' about those Ostritch Birds?
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All-In [41779]
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You talkin' about
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:45 PM
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Any birds except USuCk coots.
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Orange Blooded [3443]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:46 PM
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Never seen those four words juxtaposed to each other before.
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All-In [41779]
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juxtaposed
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:49 PM
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I know. Most folks just buy ### and have no idea as to this.
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CU Medallion [56989]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 4:53 PM
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Plus 1 for the nice tire cover!!!
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All-In [27081]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 5:12 PM
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Very important to have a roof. Good job.
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All-In [41779]
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roof
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Jun 29, 2024, 5:20 PM
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You are correct. Most you buy have less roof and the seed gets wet. Mine have a 1ft overhang all around.
I normally use interlocking boards which make a good roof.
This time will use an asphalt type roof as I have some left over from building my Bird Blind/beer hall.
If I don't like the look, can easily replace that with cedar boards.
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Oculus Spirit [77851]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 5:18 PM
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tugalooriver®
Where are all the hummingbirds this year?
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All-In [41779]
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Where are all the hummingbirds
Jun 29, 2024, 5:24 PM
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At my home?
They arrive and nest which means like other birds - hunt insects.
When the young are ready they will come to sugar feeders more.
Right now I am going through about a gallon a week.
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All-In [28632]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 7:01 PM
[ in reply to Re: World Class Bird Feeder ] |
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I had one HB at feeder in April for a couple days. Never came back and none since. In past years had at least a dozen when I had 3 feeders out. Finally took feeder down.
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All-In [41779]
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took feeder down
Jun 29, 2024, 7:10 PM
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I keep one out all year. After the Rubys migrate it is not uncommon to pick up a Rufus off track in need of a meal.
One year a Calliope showed, 2nd ever sighting in SC. He stayed with me till Spring.
Experts wanted to show and ban but my job was to keep him safe.
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All-In [41779]
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Location is outside my bedroom window
Jun 29, 2024, 5:42 PM
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I am kinda "a nal", crooked poles annoy me. I dug that one in deep and added 160lbs of Sakrete. Ground water will harden it. I used rubber 4X4s as by the time wooden ones might rot, I might be too old and frail to repair.
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110%er [5144]
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Sorry, no squirrels
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Jun 29, 2024, 6:56 PM
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They have chewed everything. My house, my sheds, my bicycles, the wiring on my lawn mower, The gas line in my truck (three times), the vacuum line on top of the gas tank on my truck (4 times), all of the bird feeders, the main power line to my shop (had to call the electric company to reconnect it to restore power (that was two months ago), power lines to yard lights (three times),etc...I know I am forgetting a lot.
I bought a 20 gauge to "take care of them" as humanely as possible, and lost count over a year ago, but know that I have "removed" at least 500 of them over the last 5 years. I know, trap them and carry off, but have been told they are territorial and can't survive when introduced into other squirrels' habitats. Also, my own pets would not take well to the traps.
We feed about 20 deer every day. We have about 15 bird feeders in the primary yard. We have hawks, owls, coyotes, opossums, snakes, mice, coons, bobcats, armadillos, and many kinds of birds, all are welcome...BUT NO SQUIRRELS ALLOWED!
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All-In [41779]
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Re: Sorry, no squirrels
Jun 29, 2024, 8:22 PM
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Good deal. Any post like this is sure to bring out folks who feel a need to kill critters.
My Yank neighbors moved here from the city and put out poison to and traps to kill them off.
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110%er [5144]
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Re: Sorry, no squirrels
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Jun 30, 2024, 11:19 AM
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I tried to show my love for animals... I only kill the squirrels to save my possessions. You have no idea what it is like to be coming out of church on a Wednesday night and seeing/smelling gas leaking out of your truck... The gas tank had to be dropped to repair the damage the first time (did the work myself, so the cost was low, the aggravation high). The first time they ate through the vacuum line on my new truck cost me $450 to repair (once I knew the problem, the third time I repaired it, I replaced the plastic with copper tubing). Had to replace shingles on the house. Had to rewire my lawnmower. Had to replace tires and other plastic/rubber on the bicycles. Thank goodness the electric company did not charge me for rewiring the supply line to my shop. Have replaced lumber in the roof of my shop. Many places and wiring on boat were chewed. Many more bucks spent for wires going to lights and many other repair costs. We can't leave anything of value outside overnight. At what point do you draw the line? Have lived here for 37 years...had the problem for almost all of them, just started taking care of them in the last five...
The only other "critter" that I kill are poisonous snakes (several copperheads each year, some rattlesnakes, all non-poisonous are allowed to stay to keep poisonous ones at bay), can't take the chance with grand kids and pets...
All others I feed willingly. We enjoy the many deer coming within 30 feet of our front porch to eat every night. Hummingbirds are friendly and come to the office window to tell me when the feeders need filling. Every possible local bird species have been recorded here (which is why we have hawks). The coyotes keep the rabbit population down, but still allow them. None of the other species cause physical damage to property or my wallet.
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CU Medallion [59339]
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Re: Sorry, no squirrels
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Jun 30, 2024, 11:42 AM
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I am with you on that - they chewed holes through the bottom of a fiberglass pedal boat in my yard. I park my pontoon in my yard in the Winter since the lake level is dropped too low to stay in the water. Walked past it one day back In March and could see the cover shaking all around as a squirrel was trying to find a way out.... I had to make sure that he never had a chance to get under there again. Wouldn't want to see the damage he could have done.
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110%er [5144]
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Re: Sorry, no squirrels
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Jun 30, 2024, 11:51 AM
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Yeah, Greenwood has that 4-5 foot drop every winter...I was there last week, fishing was poor. Caught one 3 pound cat and a few bass, but that was about it. Don't have another trip planned there until July 24th. They have chewed the wiring on the pontoon trailer, but it amazes me that they have never gotten to the upholstery...
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CU Medallion [59339]
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Fish population has dropped drastically - even in the less
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Jun 30, 2024, 12:14 PM
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desirable species like gar and carp. I used to see them swimming the edges in Spring in groups but no more. People blame bow fisherman on that but I used to catch daily limits of crappie in a couple of hours off my pier - this year I caught a total of 7 from March to May. Guys go out in deep water with video equipment and depth finders and lower bait right to the fish and can see them close their mouths around the hook and set it before the fish even tugs on the line. That can't help the numbers left for us folks who fish the old fashioned way.
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110%er [5144]
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Re: Fish population has dropped drastically - even in the less
Jul 1, 2024, 9:00 AM
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We did very well this spring. We had several outings where we caught many. For some reason, the catfish were more active this year. Besides that 40 pound catfish I posted on here in April, we caught many in the 4-5 pound range, all on jigs. We also fish the "old fashioned" way...our sonar is mostly for depth, but we do use it when we see some schools.
Will agree about crappie...we caught very few this year.
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All-In [41779]
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Hall of Famer [22857]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 7:00 PM
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Like that tire cover. Go Tigers!
Taking my elderly mother to Lowe’s tomorrow to get her a squirrel feeder and a bird feeder.
She likes feeding both, but insists on segregation. I tell her, mom, it’s a new day. But she don’t listen.
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All-In [47699]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 29, 2024, 7:39 PM
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Can't wait to see your progress.
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Orange Blooded [3779]
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Re: World Class Bird Feeder
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Jun 30, 2024, 8:36 AM
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Bears LOVE bird seed unfortunately
They have broken into garages, sheds and homes to get at it unfortunately up where I live
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Orange Blooded [3161]
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All-In [41779]
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Update
Jul 2, 2024, 5:12 PM
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Far from done, but coming together.
I have several types of food there - (sunflower, sunflower chips, peanuts in shell, peanuts, suet, suet balls, sugar water, water, white millet.
This is a large feeder will hold many different things. The roof is over 4' across.
Birds eat less at my feeders in Summer than the other seasons as my woods are full of foods they prefer.
I suspect no gives a da mn, but will post more detail soon. Next is to get in irrigation as you can't have a nice plant bed in SC unless you irrigate. My yard is always in flood or drought.
People who hate squirrels should just get an outdoor cat. They are also hell on snakes.
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Replies: 39
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