OUTDOORS

It's for the (wild) birds

Feeding birds is an increasingly popular passion.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 70 million Americans feed or watch birds, making it one of the most popular pastimes.

Manning-based Black River Tools, longtime sponsor of the Living in South Carolina Outdoor Tips Contest, has introduced its Father Nature Bird Feeders to add elegance to your yard, patio, or garden while bringing wildlife up close for your viewing pleasure.  Black River Tools has agreed to make the Father Nature Bird Feeder part of the grand prize package that is awarded quarterly to a randomly selected monthly winner of the Living in South Carolina Magazine Outdoor Tips Contest.

The bird feeders are made of steel to last a lifetime, Black River says.  They protect seed from weather and waste.  The bird feeders have adjustable perches to prevent large birds from eating all the seed.

Maker of Driftmaster Rod Holders since 1989, Black River Tools has developed Father Nature bird feeders to offer the bird feeding enthusiast a line of products with features not found in any other bird feeder on the market.  "Constantly looking for ways to improve our products keeps us competitive with larger companies who import their merchandise," says David Baynard of Black River Tools.

"Our patented adjustable perches along with proper seed selection let you decide just what birds you want to feed," Baynard says.

For information, please contact Black River Tools, (803) 473-4927, or access www.blackrivertools.com.

The high-quality, squirrel-resistant feeders are designed to save money by keeping seed dry and reducing waste.

Living In South Carolina Magazine July 2008

Feature Articles

Bird feeders contribute heavily to length of 'do to' list

MONROE

In the "To Do" department there are some things to put away and some things to get out of storage.  Also, there are some things that just need to be cleaned.  All of these tasks have to do with bird feeders.

Since all of the hummingbirds I know have gone to their winter homes, they won't need nectar feeders.  Before these are put away until spring, give them a thorough cleaning.  Since the liquids we feed humming-birds have a high sugar content, the residue left clinging to the feeders can easily mold during warm days.  Since this mold can be transferred to new nectar, you'd have a bad situation if you love hummers.

If, by chance you still see hummingbirds around your home, them by all means leave your feeders outside.  Otherwise these little birds may die!

Some people put out their regular bird feeders only during cold weather months.  Others feed the birds year around.

Regardless, all bird feeders should be cleaned regularly.  Since it does rain once in a blue moon, seeds can become rancid and moldy.  This can sicken and kill a  large number of birds that come to your feeders.

I have even had seeds turn moldy without me becoming aware of the problem.  With a quick, cursory look, everything looked fine.  Upon close inspection however, that was not the case.  The ports at the very bottom that dispensed seeds were the problem.  Since the bottom ports were even with the base, blowing rain water had been allowed inside.  (Ports are the openings on bird feeders allowing access to seeds).  In no time at all 2 inches of seeds had molded.  I had not noticed it because we use only black seeds.  That is the same color as the mold.

When it comes to seed, we've found you've got to spend a little more money for a better type of seed.  If you buy the regular wild bird mix, you're probably wasting a lot of your money.  Maybe we have more picky birds than in other areas of the country.  I say that because the birds that frequent our feeders will kick all of the millet and Milo seeds out of the feeders.

Unfortunately, that is the vast majority in "wild bird" mixes.  You'll also find that after a heavy rain, (for a definition of that term, consult a dictionary) the small seeds will germinate on the ground, creating a mess. For attracting the best birds, I've found it's hard to beat black oil sunflower seeds.  We buy it in 50 pound sacks to help defray some of the cost.  The only problem you might have is the seed hulls will need to be cleaned up on a regular basis.  If you don't want to be bothered with that chore you can buy sun-flower hearts, which are just shelled sunflowers.

However, they are espensive.  Besides, the birds will stay linger at your feeders as they creack the seeds and happily munch.  If you like goldfinches, there is anothe seed you can buy to attract them.  It is called Niger seed.   It is amall, similar in size to rice.  If athe weather is dry you can fill special socks with these seeds.  Then you hang them is special places where you can observe them from your easy chair.  The finches pull individual seeds feom small holea in tahe sock.  This seed coats a couple ofd dollars a pound, but goes a long way.  We habe both , but contrery to litaerature, we find that goldfinches like the cheaper black oil sunflower seeds better than anything else.

Let me gice a quick thought about the birds that come to feeders.  It's interesting to be able to identify the different birds.  ATheir different antics are also amusing.  Just remember you will only seed birds that are seed eaters.  That's why you'll never see a Robin or Bluebird at a feeder.