Reddit mentions: The best backyard birding & wildlife products

Things you as a regular person can do to help the earth:

1. Avoid using plastic shopping bags, keep reusable bags in your car or bag.
   
   
2. Recycle. Glass, paper, and can recycling is widespread, but you should also recycle your light bulbs and electronic equipment.
   
   
3. Walk, bike and take public transit more. When it comes to longer journeys, the CO2 hierarchy is generally bus/train > carpool > airplane > solo drive. Source
   
   
4. Eat fewer animal products, compost if possible, and consider growing some of your own food. Tomatoes and cucumbers are among the easiest to grow. One source for seeds and another source for seeds.
   
   
5. Diversify the plants in your garden. Plants suck up CO2 and native plants support native pollinators. Audubon has a native plant finder for the US. Limit the chemicals you put on your plants. Also considering adding some potted plants to your home. Some specific plants have been found to improve indoor air quality. These include snake plant, aloe vera, spider plant, and peace lily, all of which can easily be found at big box stores.
   
   
6. Considering adding a bird feeder, solar birth bath, or bee house to your landscape. Here's a squirrel resistant bird feeder and here's another one. Solar birth baths like this one keep the water in motion so mosquitos don't breed (bird bath needs to be in direct sun to work). Mason bees are native pollinators who generally only sting if attacked. A mason bee house like this or this should be put in direct sun.
   
   
7. Buy second hand. More stuff = more waste. Thrift stores aren't just for poor people, most stores get way more donations than sales so shopping there helps support the store. Well made antique furniture can be the same price as buying something new from a big box store. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, etc. usually have a huge stock of stuff. Buffalo Exchange has more fashion forward clothing, the Junior League tends to have higher end older/more professional clothing. Once Upon a Child has higher end kids stuff. Here's a list of the best second hand stores in all 50 states.
   
   
8. Avoid replacing your electronics unnecessarily. 20 years ago, people kept electronic appliances an average of 10-15 years and now we are down to 6-8 years (this includes things like toaster ovens and hair dryers as well as cell phones and computers). This creates a tremendous amount of volatile waste. And when you do replace electronic equipment, recycle it.
   
   
9. Consider weatherstripping to reduce the energy needed to heat and cool your home. EPA guide, This Old House guide, Handyman guide.
   
   
10. Support environmental organizations. I know Reddit is super paranoid about charity scams, but there are good organizations. For example, Earthjustice in an environmental law group with 4 Stars on Charity Navigator and an A on Charity Watch. Environmental Working Group works to on the intersection between health and the environment. It also has 4 Stars on Charity Navigator and an A on Charity Watch. Waterkeeper Alliance works globally to protect clean water and has 4 Stars from Charity Navigator, an A+ from Charity Watch and is one of Consumer Report's Recommended Charities. African Wildlife Foundation has 4 Stars on Charity Navigator, an A- from Charity Watch, and is one of Consumer Report's Recommended Charities.

I just started feeding the birds in backyard in January. Great responses already. Yeah, you can spend quite a bit of money on different feeders that you may end up rotating around depending on how you see fit. As mentioned below, taking into consideration what your backyard/garden is like and how well manicured does it need to stay will make a difference.

Low maintenance could just be a hanging tray feeder like this https://www.amazon.com/Woodlink-Going-Platform-Feeder-GGPLAT/dp/B002W8PVWK/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_86_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GTC7GY5NPPDWR5TCY6RW . you can also invest in some of those hanging planter chains so you can extend the feeder lower depending on how high your branches or structure are.

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Low maintenance could also just be spreading some no-mess seed like sunflower kernels on the ground around or under the bushes to get them interested but also feeding in a relatively more protected area due to your hawk.

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You'll want to evaluate how you feel about the hawk in the grand scheme of things as attracting more birds may attract hawk attention and/or even disease.

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Getting one of those Shepherd's hooks with the multiple hanging attachment points is good as well esp if no good trees around or you need to keep it far away from a squirrel launching point. Those tube feeders are relatively low maintenance although you definitely will need to spend a little more time cleaning them every so often.

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Hummingbird feeders are pretty neat as well if you see or hear any in the area. The nectar recipe is super easy, but you do have to replace the nectar more often in hot/warmer weather or else it gets moldy, so that is also one more thing to do or focus on.

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One other point is the mention about the water features for drinking and bath. I underestimated this part, but depending on water availability around you from nature ponds/lakes/rivers/streams vs neighbors, water will be a huge thing to offer and isn't that hard to maintain. Even a terra cotta base would be a start.

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Good luck!

Congratulations! It's a very different experience from the Volcanos.

The EVO has a lot of nice gear and a big third party support ecosystem; it's great. That's a very nice P.I.M.P. start there. All that stuff will hold it's value quite well. I have a Precision hydratube and use it all the time. The water piece for whips/stacking is cool. I recommend the dry Helio mouthpiece as well if you want something for dry vaping (you can stack it on the lynx too); it's inexpensive, small and very functional.

I really enjoy the EVO with both flower and concentrates. There's a big EVO owner/user thread on the FC forum with lots of good information and owners shooting the breeze.

I'd recommend getting some pick tools, some brushes (these are great for the ELB and nails... https://www.amazon.com/Caydo-Pieces-Hummingbird-Cleaning-Brushes/dp/B07CMKR86V), and an ELB filling tool too, something like this one. https://delta3dstudios.com/VapeXhale-ELB-loading-tool/

When you receive the EVO don't forget to register it with VapeXhale on their website for warranty (need serial #, etc).

Let us know how it goes and enjoy.

It's so fun! Yay! I also like to hang bird (and butterfly too!) friendly plants, like fuschia (hummingbirds LOVE them), and plant flowers that attract birds. This year I think I'm gonna plant a honeysuckle vine. I had a cheap plastic bird bath that actually looked pretty cute and the birds loved it, but I didn't bring it in during winter and the polar vortex cracked it. Now I have this hanging bird bath that I like a lot. I would definitely recommend adding some sort of water source, makes a big difference.

This isn't necessary but I also have this ground feeder because a lot of birds love to feed on the ground (mourning doves are a big one, and the white-throated sparrows you had) and it keeps squirrels from freaking out trying to climb my feeders too. I use a squirrel and critter blend for that, the corn kernels are big enough to keep the house sparrows away. Can you see everything I do is to minimize house sparrows? If you don't they WILL overrun your yard and crowd out other birds. I can say that my tips actually do work, I went from having a huge flock of house sparrows in my yard to averaging only two or three!

Another feeder I have that's especially useful to the birds during fall migration/winter is a suet feeder.

With his hobbies, you have a lot to choose from. Below are a few themes & gifts that may work for him...

Camping...

• RV Salt/Pepper & Napkin Holder Set
  
• Camper Birdhouse Trailer
  
  Techy...
  
  
• Math Glasses - Set of 4
  
• Math Formulas Tie
  
• Record Coasters
  
  Cooking...
  
  
• Fondue for Two
  
• Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit
  
• Eat Kitchen Wood Sign
  
• BBQ Branding Iron w/ His Initials
  
  I don't have any examples at the moment, but since he likes cute animals, a frog themed gift may be a good choice. Not only are they cute, but frogs are also considered to be good luck -- which could be a lucky charm for both him and your relationship!

This scarf is super cute and comes in many colors. It could be a nice winter accessory.
Bird Scarf

Also this cuckoo bird key holder might be a cute stocking stuffer for her. I’m always losing my keys and having a place to hang them is super convenient.

Bird Key Holder

Thank you for the contest and good luck with your shopping! :)

I had something similar happen to me a couple years back the spring after I bought my house. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the hell this vibration sound was coming from my roof in the mornings until one day I saw the tail of a Northern Flicker hanging down from my gutter where the sound was emanating from. I love birds but this was waking me up at the crack of dawn so obviously I wanted to find a solution that would keep us both happy. As someone else has pointed out, this is how woodpeckers attract mates and, if successful, will return to the same location year after year. There are a few possible reasons why they are making holes in your house, drumming being one. If this is what is happening to your house (and it isn't from trying to find insects), installing a bird house for them should do the trick.

You'll need to figure out the species of woodpecker to ensure the box is the correct dimensions and the entrance hole is the correct size otherwise they are unlikely to use it (also follow the directions for how much sawdust to put in there for them to nest with and which direction to hang). For reference, this is what I bought for the Northern Flickers in my neighborhood. I installed it on the south-facing side of my house close to where the drumming spot was about 10' above the ground, also making sure squirrels couldn't get access. Not only did this immediately stop the drumming, a mating pair moved in just a short time later!

Hope this was helpful and you are able to peacefully resolve your situation. Thank you for asking first before going the trap/kill route; it saddens me how many replies were advocating harming a poor little bird just trying to get some action.

Don't know her age or living space but this in a garden would be cute. Or, garden 2.

Also try here. They have a lot of kitschy stuff that leans toward sentimentality. Bitches love sentimentality.

Do you know any origami or have any crafty friends? Origami wall art is always impressive.

Good luck!


Edit: broken link

1. Blue
   
   
2. Summer
   
   
3. Food
   
   
4. I would give u/kevinsb this rice cooker because he keeps talking about wanting it!
   
   
5. Book I recommend it to everyone who even hints that they want a book recommendation.
   
   
6. $1 on the dot is the best I could do!
   
   
7. Dog
   
   
8. Not useful, but I need it anyway
   
   
9. I love this movie!
   
   
10. If you get, like, hundreds of them, then you can set them all up like a security system.
    
    
11. Goal - Paint the floor!
    
    
12. Add-on
    
    
13. MLP
    
    
14. Ridiculously priced
    
    
15. Fluffy unicorn
    
    
16. Smell
    
    
17. Rose Petal Place
    
    
18. Writer
    
    
19. 80s toys
    
    
20. Best show ever

We have 2 of these window mounted bird feeders and we love them!

https://www.amazon.com/Aspects-ASP155-Window-Feeder-Variety/dp/B000CSJ1VE

It takes a while for the birds to notice them but once they start coming it's amazing. We get pretty cardinals and finches.

We use safflower seed that doesn't attract squirrels. The bottom part slides out easily to refill without having to remount the suction cups.

Good luck!

Okay, so this'll be pretty close to what you want. I'm not sure if you're going to order the stuff off of Amazon or go to a local supply house, but I'll link you the bulk of the stuff and do up a little drawing to give you an idea of how I'd put this stuff together.

Softener:

https://www.amazon.com/Fleck-Demand-Softener-Capacity-Commercial/dp/B01K5V8BOU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487723196&sr=8-1&keywords=clack+softener

or

https://thewaterfilterestore.com/collections/water-softeners-and-tannin-filters-the-water-filter-estore/products/deluxe-water-softener-27-000-grain

I prefer the Clack softener heads, but Fleck makes good stuff too and are usually a little less expensive. The Fleck unit is larger than you probably need and the Clack unit is probably a little on the small side. Personally I'd get a 35K grain unit with either Fleck or Clack head on it.

https://www.amazon.com/Res-Up-Liquid-Resin-Cleaner-Feeder/dp/B007LZ0CT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487724267&sr=8-1&keywords=res+up+feeder

https://www.amazon.com/ResCare-RK41N-All-Purpose-Softener-Cleaner/dp/B00TQGNA5G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487724267&sr=8-2&keywords=res+up+feeder

Get some of that stuff too. The feeder goes into the brine tank of your softener and needs to be filled a few times a year. Takes care of your softener media, extending the life of your softener and helps especially if you have a bit of iron in the water.

Sediment & sterilization:

https://thewaterfilterestore.com/collections/ultraviolet-disinfection-water-filters-the-water-filter-estore/products/uv-dynamics-ultraviolet-uv-mini-rack-solenoid-mr320-tp2-110?variant=1016345763

So the MR320 rack is what I typically install, however I usually just go with the single sump model, which I can't find on that site. They're a nice economical unit that are super easy to install and maintain with inexpensive lamps, lenses, and filters. The only caveat is that you have to install your own bypass, but that's not difficult to do and I'll explain it below.

if your pressure tank is shot, replace it with either a Flexcon WR120R or FL12

http://www.flexconind.com/products/well-tanks/wellrite-well-tanks/

http://www.flexconind.com/products/well-tanks/flexlite-well-tanks/

Tank tee:

https://www.boshart.com/product.php?id=Fa8fdsPcWPkl2WsXiXOJi72RHhXH-DFJdbUWZzdRyf0_ for the WR120R

https://www.boshart.com/product.php?id=r3LQkDEAxP1ic-h3E991I-QZn7qGr5N5tpc0xGUPM9g_ for the FL12

if/when you get the tank tee, you can get it as a package with a sediment tap, pressure relief valve, pressure gauge, 0.25" x 3" brass nipple, and a 40/60 pressure switch. Boshart has the kits on their site, but your supplier will have them put together already. I prefer Square D pressure switches to Boshart or Furnas, but it doesn't really matter that much.

Okay, so I'm going to submit this and then do my drawing and share some photos of a previous install that will be similar to yours.

Edit: http://m.imgur.com/mU8dgLk

So here's a pretty idea install which yours would be similar to. Going to do my drawing now.

Super shitty drawing for the tank set up:

http://m.imgur.com/a/5NEnvuO

If you can't read my chicken scratch you'll need to get: a 1" spring check valve, two 1" ball valves, two 2" (long) x 1" brass or 316 stainless nipples, a 1" bronze tee, two bronze or nylon insert couplings, two 1" bronze insert adaptors, one 1" by 0.75" bronze bushing, probably about 8' (to have lots) of 1" braided flex hose, couple bags of all stainless steel 1" hose clamps (#14 I think).

Splice the poly lines and replace all that weird shit you've got there with the flex hose. So it'll be like line in -> insert adaptor -> check valve -> tank tee -> bronze tee -> nipples and ball valves (one ball valve gets your bushing and the other gets the second insert adaptor which goes to the line out).

From the bushing, put in a 0.75" pex adaptor and go to your softener. From the softener, take pex to your mini rack. Now, you're going to want isolation valves around the mini rack too. Two more 0.75" pipe thread ball valves, or you can use PEX valves, it doesn't really matter. To do your bypass, you just need to tee off before and after your isolation valves, with one more ball valve in the middle. This allows you to completely bypass the filter and rack for service or if something happens to it and you still need water.

I'd recommend:

1. One that has drainage holes on the bottom, and
   
   
2. The part that holds the seeds is removable to make it easier to clean and refill without having to unstick and restick the suction cups every time. i.e. the whole thing should NOT be one solid piece.
   
   Also, the bigger the 'roof', the better for keeping the seed dry.
   
   I've had this one for ~5–6 years; it's still in good shape and I'm still happy with it. But any that meet the above requirements should be good.

GREEN ME

My Spy Birdhouse on my Hobbies list. A nice little home for the birbs and my kiddo can have fun watching and learning about our feathered friends too. I also have bird seed on that same list because I like to feed the little cuties.

Thanks for the contest!

This horse head shaped squirrel feeder is seriously one of the more amazing things I have ever seen for sale.

Seriously, look at that! Haw. Poor squirrels!

Wait! What am I saying. LUCKY squirrel. They get treats and we get a good laugh so I suppose everyone wins!

We did 2 things - we added UV reflective stickers like this. We also added bird feeders that suction to the window like this. It helped, but hasn't completely resolved it. Plants should also help slow them down. Finally, I went to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary not too long ago and they have installed these things that they really like and have prevented a lot of deaths. Cheap and easy to DIY - so we may try that next year.

This year, I want to find joy in all the little things, and this bird house would be such a nice addition to my house, so I can watch the little bird families. I also want to get into more hobbies this year, such as painting and caring for plants.

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm two years ahead of you on this.

I had the best results by buying a freestanding holder for my bird feeders. I have this one.

I spent a lot of money on different feeders and food before realizing that a rust proof feeder with black oil sunflower seed was what worked best. This year, I had American Goldfinches come to winter at my house.

I also have Cedar Waxwings come to drink out of my "bird bath" which is a rubber tub that I keep 2-3" of water in with paving stones.

Do you have any flowers, bushes, trees? We have a lot of bird activity because of the plants in the yard.

I'm going to try and relate this because it's funny.

Ok, this is related to Krys because, squirrels like peanuts, peanuts are grown in the ground, it's dark underground, secrets can be dark, and Krys is of course our secret keeper. (I'm pretty sure she also thinks we're all nuts, so you can go off in that direction too!)

The Morning

 

After several "snooze" sessions, my mind slowly surfaces from the deep abyss we call sleep. Despite a whimpering, whiny little voice in the back of my head, I know I can't stay in bed. I get up, stretch my sleep-tangled limbs and hop into the shower, lazily humming a random string of out-of-tune notes as I scrub off the remnants of the previous day.

 

All showered and smartly dressed, I snag a couple bagged up pieces of last night's pizza from the refrigerator for my lunch, grab my bag and liberate my keys from their awesome little home on the wall next to the front door. I lock the front door and clamber into my car headed for work.

 

Still needing to recover from the previous nights bout of vigorous dreaming, I decide I have enough time to stop at the convenience store along the way and grab an energy drink before resuming my half hour commute into the office, where I now sit sipping on my drink and writing this mind-numbing recount of a morning that will be forgotten come lunch time.

 

My thoughts and feelings this morning so far have alternated between elation that my pending tax return will pay off one of my debts, (yay no more credit card balance!) and exhausted lamentations about the unfairness of being forced out of bed so early to go to work. I'm tempted to nap in my chair right here. I could easily accomplish it, but that's not the sort of worker I am dammit!

 

QOTD, as with many of you, has to do with money. I wish I had learned how to better budget, save, and keep track of my bills. If I had known that, I likely wouldn't be in as much debt as I am now.

I have a few set up and this is the one that they like the most. I occasionally get bees but that is only when it's about time to change the nectar (so I regard them as a helpful reminder).

Premium Birdfeeding Station Kit

I bought the above birdfeeding station kit in November for $27. It has several hooks, a tray, and a dish for setting up many kinds of bird feeders at once. It’s a great buy.

Thanks for your response and help! (and sorry for my delayed response!)

It appears my failure is that I mounted it on a tree. I have it facing direct sunlight but I guess it's still too shady? I live in Florida and while it can get chilly in the winter January, it's rarely that cold. Your links have definitely helped and I'm going to look into getting a wooden post or maybe I'll try to find a spot on the house if I can. There's this one wooden post sticking out from our fence (its connected to the fence) that I thought about but then I thought they might not like it because of other predators scurrying along the fence?

I actually got the house here off of Amazon.

> https://smile.amazon.com/Audubon-Bat-Shelter-Model-NABAT/dp/B000HHQBKO

These are excellent!
Do you feel the 'scent' is necessary, or do they find the space without help?

These photos consist of sporadic progress photos over the last 2 weeks or so. As you can see from the inside, many a creature have endeavored to call the My Spy Birdhouse home. Will this be a different story?

Sure. They got it from Amazon and we ended up staining it as a mocha/espresso color so it would absorb more heat throughout the day. Now we’ve been letting it sit for about a month so the noxious stain fumes can dissipate. The company is called Audubon.

https://smile.amazon.com/Audubon-Bat-Shelter-Model-NABAT/dp/B000HHQBKO

You can buy bat houses that mount on the side of your house, under the gable. You could theoretically put that up right near the current opening, and hope they go in there. Assuming there are not too many ...

Here's an example.

https://www.amazon.com/Audubon-Bat-Shelter-Model-NABAT/dp/B000HHQBKO

There's a seal at the top, so air can't get in thru the top.

You know when you turn a bottle of water over and it goes glug glug glug? That's because air has to go in to let water come out. If you then stick the mouth of the bottle into a bowl, the bowl will fill, but there's no way for the air to get into the mouth of the bottle, so it doesn't glug any more.

Eventually, if you lower the level in the bowl until the air can get to the mouth of the bottle, you'll get bubbles going into the bottle until the bowl water covers the mouth of the bottle again and then it's stable.

This wouldn't work except the pipe is bent at the bottom to make a bowl.

There's a similar effect with things like hummingbird feeders. https://www.amazon.com/First-Nature-Hummingbird-Feeder-16-Ounce/dp/B005XOZKC6/ref=pd_day0_86_1

Amazon link for the head.

In case anyone wants one for themselves, they're available on amazon for a little more than $25. I personally haven't bought one, so I don't know how good the quality is.

I use this one! so cute.http://smile.amazon.com/Birdhouse-Key-Ring-Brown-Yellow/dp/B007CKHBM6/ref=pd_bxgy_201_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0V81ZM6AAQNMEEGQW05V

http://amzn.com/B00I5PUHEQ

A quick google search shows that it is an actual product and can be yours for only $12.

It's a Squirrel Feeder

That was the idea, but the flicker ended up nesting in a tall tree last year, so only a screech owl and squirrel have lived there so far. This is the house, but the slate plate doesn't keep out squirrels.

You're saying if it's too big they'll poop in the food? So this one would be a bad idea? https://www.amazon.com/Aspects-ASP155-Window-Feeder-Variety/dp/B000CSJ1VE/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1510712313&sr=1-1&keywords=Aspects+ASP155&dpID=518BuRKUMML&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch