tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056621443294652468.post8992481412637076950..comments2023-03-23T08:41:42.935-05:00Comments on Backyard Birder: What to feed the birdsDorothy Bordershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12441731296027227394noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056621443294652468.post-68764240351797135402012-01-17T17:52:26.306-06:002012-01-17T17:52:26.306-06:00Thanks for the recommendation, Rambling Wren. Ther...Thanks for the recommendation, Rambling Wren. There are several good brands and mixes of birdseed available and yours sounds like a winner.Dorothy Bordershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12441731296027227394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056621443294652468.post-89227021360985540262012-01-17T17:50:34.393-06:002012-01-17T17:50:34.393-06:00It's true that the House Sparrows will take bl...It's true that the House Sparrows will take black oil sunflower seeds as well, Lorilee, although they don't seem as partial to them as to the milo/millet mixes. But if there is anything that can totally discourage a House Sparrow, I haven't found it!<br /><br />I can help you with the raccoon problem though. We live in an area with a plentiful population of raccoons and they visit our backyard nightly and used to visit my bird feeders nightly until I found this: http://www.duncraft.com/Best-Selling-Squirrel-Proof-Squirrel-Stopper-System-Pole<br />This "squirrel-proof" pole from Duncraft is also raccoon-proof. The long baffle moves up and down when a varmint tries to grab it and they can't get past it. I've had my system for several years now and it has never been breached by squirrels or raccoons. One caveat: You have to be sure to place it far enough away from any tree, shrub or structure so that a critter cannot jump from it to the pole.Dorothy Bordershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12441731296027227394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056621443294652468.post-25272999794189344532012-01-17T17:36:48.247-06:002012-01-17T17:36:48.247-06:00I'm using Nutraseed? It is a safflower seed th...I'm using Nutraseed? It is a safflower seed that does not attract the sparrows or the squirrels...Thank goodness!!Steph@RamblingWrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08747425786972900993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056621443294652468.post-33228062959496056802012-01-17T17:05:14.378-06:002012-01-17T17:05:14.378-06:00I always keep black oil sunflower seeds out. Sadly...I always keep black oil sunflower seeds out. Sadly, the non-native house sparrows like them as well! I have also begun to have problems with raccoons getting into my feeders. I also have a couple of rufous hummmers staying over the winter. Of course I am keeping sugar water out for them.<br />Blessing,<br />LorileeLorileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03696859749272239553noreply@blogger.com