thistle feeders are a great choice when starting out

Here’s a real note (and our quick response) from an enthusiastic customer who’s just staring out with the backyard birding and gardening thing. This is the kind of stuff we love to see! Aside from a happy customer, another wildlife friendly habitat is being born.

“I just received my Solar hanging bird bath and ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I LOVE it……I have it in my back yard…..I want to purchase another one for my front yard…..Do You have different styles and colors of solar hanging bird baths???  I am new to having a garden and bird feeding and baths….I love it!!!  It is soooooooo peaceful!!!  Do I need to put anything in the solar bird bath for the water???  Should I change the water everyday????  Thank You for the 2 gifts….I need to get a suet feeder.  What is the pop.outz that you are speaking about on the card that you sent me??  Also, I have a bird house, should I put the feathers, moss and horse hair in the house with some hanging out in order to attract birds???  I am not sure how I should present this to the birds?
Thank You so much and any information is greatly appreciated!!!
Lisa”

Hi Lisa,
Sounds like you’re on your way to becoming a bird-fanatic like me 🙂
It really is so cool just to sit and watch, sorta takes you away from the “day-to-day”.  Even though I’ve been doing this for a long time, there are still scenes and birds who never cease to amaze and bring joy!

The first brood of Bluebirds fledged a few weeks ago, and mama brought the babies down to the feeder last night. When they first leave the nest, they stay in the tree-tops for about the first 10 days. So darn cute!  I’ve been trying to lure Orioles for years (gorgeous birds) who are considered migratory (only here in summer). My first one was in the yard the other day. The brightest hue of yellow-orange I’ve ever seen! They eat grape jelly and oranges!

Hummingbirds will come back to the same place every year if they find the spot to their liking. Last night while sitting outside, one buzzed my head and sat only a few inches away while drinking at the feeder! What a site when they’re that close!  Jeez… this sounds like a blog post right here!

Anyway, you’re off to a good start because fresh water really does entice more birds.
Not sure if you have any other feeders, but thistle feeders are very cool. Goldfinches (great little songbirds) will stick around all year if you feed thistle. In summer, they molt (shed old feathers and grow new new ones) and turn an electric lemon yellow color. Sweet songs and very gentle birds too! Thistle (also called nyjer) won’t germinate to sprout weeds, and squirrels usually leave these feeders in peace! It’s not cheap seed though 🙁

Just buzz me any time with any bird questions!
Have a swell day!
Beth