I decided to try and make a Woodpecker Suet Feeder, similar to the one I saw over at Craig's Birds. I thought it was worth a try to make one and get a few more woodpeckers to my backyard. They just won't come to any ole bird feeder. Only rarely have I seen pictures of them on regular bird feeders and I've never seen them on one in my yard. Woodpeckers are one of my favorites birds, to say the least.
I've also noticed that any bird that likes suet dough will avail themselves to the feeder. I have a Pine Warbler that just loves it. He is a regular along with the little male Downy Woodpecker. Carolina Wrens will also make a regular stops.
The Northern Cardinals will also get some suet but usually only after all of the sunflower seeds are gone. These days they are having to fight with the huge flock of Goldfinches that have taken up residence in my backyard.
Another regular on the feeder is the female Red-bellied Woodpecker. She really works it over multiple times during the day. I've noticed that she and the male appear to be taking up residence in a hole in the front yard. It may be time for some little ones in the near future!
God Bless and Good Birding!
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10 comments:
Great job, the feeder looks great!
I love watching the woodpeckers in our yard, but the squirrels are so hard to keep away!
Good birding to you!
Veery, thanks for visiting! The squirrels are bad here too. Some of it is my fault for feeding them early on in birding career.
Onedia, the feeder was easy. I drilled 1 1/4" holes all the way through the log. Probably could have just drilled a third through on each side. Then I just mush the suet into the hole!
That is an awesome suet feeder. But if I make one, I would have to ask you, what is suet dough?? By the way, I just love the warbler!!
B, I just get the "No Melt Suet Dough" from the local Wal-Mart. It comes in a square plastic tray and I just pop it out. I can pull it apart and then just push it into the holes. I then usually leave the block out for the Carolina Wrens and White-Throated Sparrows to snack on.
I like this dough the best it doesn't seem as greasy. It is made by C & S.
j. karl, good job on the feeder. I drilled the holes all the way through on a couple and only about 1/2 way through on the others. It's much easier to put in the suet on the partially drilled holes. I used suet plugs for a while and actually had woodpeckers knock the whole thing out onto the ground where the squirrels were more than happy to oblige. Being able to smash the suet into the 1/2drilled holes is much easier. Good birding, and I'm looking forward to more shots of woodpeckers on your newly built feeder!
Craig
Craig, I agree. I'm going to drill only part way through the log on the next one. I too tried the suet log, which is why I drilled all the way through. Didn't work too well! Mushing the suet in the hole is the way to go.
Very cool! I think I may have to do this, too! I simply cannot get woodpeckers to come to my store-bought suet feeders.
Hi, just popped in while looking at sites on the Nature Blog list. Love the photos of the woodpeckers!
Moe, it has worked out good for me and the woodpeckers. The activity picked up for sure.
Peggy, thanks for visiting!
Good job! I made one like that when I was a kid. I had forgotten about it until I saw your post. Well, back to memory lane.
Vern
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