Looking for suet that European Starlings and Common Grackles won’t eat? In cooler months of the year, try pure suet. I’ve been experimenting with this type of commercial suet this winter and spring. Pure suet has downsides, but it is worth adding to your bird feeding bag of tricks. Here’s why.
Continue reading Suet Starlings and Grackles Won’t Eat?
Large mixed “blackbird” flocks are the bane of backyard birdwatchers in late winter and early spring. Appearing in mass, groups of Common Grackles, European Starlings, Brown-Headed Cowbirds and Red-Winged Blackbirds can take over feeders and push other birds out. But this year, for many reasons, the blackbird flocks are not as much of a problem in my yard. Some of this is because of things I’ve done to set up my feeders and some is beyond my control.
Continue reading Fewer Mixed Blackbird Flocks at My Feeders 2020
This year, the spring grackles didn’t leave. Every year, we get flocks of nuisance “blackbirds”, including Common Grackles, in late winter and early spring. In my area, some of these grackles are year-round residents but more northern-based grackles do also migrate through the area, increasing their numbers. They usually only cause problems for a few weeks. This year was different.
Continue reading When Grackles Don’t Leave