It's been a while - I'm back with a Blue Jay problem (1 Viewer)

[Andie8302]

Good Afternoon- I don't think I have been on here since last winter. I'm glad to be back. I love feeding the birds !!

Last year, I was asking for advise because I didn't have many birds at my feeders. Well I think I discovered the problem. I don't think I started feeding them early enough in the fall, for them to establish their feeding grounds before winter.

This year I started in September and I am loaded with birds.

Now I have another question, what can I do about the Blue Jays. I don't mind feeding them, I don't want them going hungry during the winter. They are such bullies at the feeders and will empty them everyday. Throwing the seed every where. Any suggestions?

 

[delia todd]

Hi Andy and welcome back.

I moved your post to the Garden bird area and subscribed you to this thread so you can keep track of it. I'm sure someone will soon be along with some advice for you.

 

[Andie8302]

Thanks Delia !!

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi ya Andie. You can try going to cage type feeders. I've recently gone over to all "squirrel buster" feeders. Keeps the squirrels out as well and the Blue Jays are heavy enough to slide the feeder down over the feeding ports. Here's a link to show you what I'm talking about. Squirrel Buster

 

[fugl]

Try distracting them with peanuts-in-the-shell which they love and which most other birds aren't equipped to handle. Throw the peanuts on the ground; the jays will carry them off one by one for winter storage and ignore everything else, giving the small fry a shot at the feeders.

 

[Andie8302]

Thanks KC !! I really like the idea of those. My seed may last longer

 

[KC Foggin]

I know my sunflower hearts are lasting a heck of a lot longer You should be okay with the smaller of the feeders. I've got the two sizes but I find the smaller one is more susceptible to weight of the bird.

 

[Andie8302]

Thanks FUGL !!! It's too funny you posted this today. I just bought a bag of Peanuts, today but for the squirrels !! I will certainly try this.

 

[Andie8302]

LOL I may have to buy a few. I have 8 feeders out there right now. A couple of them are pretty large. This has become quite the hobby. I love it !!

 

[KC Foggin]

I've currently got 9 seed feeders, 3 suet feeders and 2 hummer feeders. Start out with a couple with your more pricier seed in them and then start adding to them It is quite addicting

 

[Maljunulo]

Try distracting them with peanuts-in-the-shell which they love and which most other birds aren't equipped to handle. Throw the peanuts on the ground; the jays will carry them off one by one for winter storage and ignore everything else, giving the small fry a shot at the feeders.

I saw them picking up acorns, the other day.

I had no idea that Blue Jays ate acorns.

 

[Gretchen]

Yeah, I think they are pretty big on acorns - as a matter of fact Cornell's Allaboutbirds says that jays are credited with spreading oak trees. Besides Acorn Woodpeckers, I can't recall if there is another bird that eats acorns in a serious way.

 

[Andie8302]

WOW !! You must get a ton of birds. What kind do you get at your feeders?

I agree KC it is addicting. I can't stay out of the store and I am constantly researching on line. I love sitting and watching them for hours.

Have you ever made your own suet. I found a few recipes but wondering what's the best.

 

[Andie8302]

I had no idea they liked Acorns neither. I thought that was just squirrels. LOL

Well I did put out the peanuts this morning and there are 6 Blue Jays out there have a ball. 4 Crows watching them.

 

[KC Foggin]

Over the last 10 years I have a species count of 112

 

[Andie8302]

Oh my gosh I would love that. So far I have only been getting, Gold Finches, House Finches, Juncos, Chickadees, Morning Doves, Titmouse and two kinds of woodpeckers. Plus the Blue Jays. Of course I am up here in cold country !

 

[SueO]

Yeah, I think they are pretty big on acorns - as a matter of fact Cornell's Allaboutbirds says that jays are credited with spreading oak trees. Besides Acorn Woodpeckers, I can't recall if there is another bird that eats acorns in a serious way.

Acorn Woodies do like their acorns. The attached photo is their 'Bank of Sycamore'.

 

[Ruff]

You can buy and exclusively use feeders that will exclude blue jays but then... you won't have any blue jays. I like to have the brassy critters around, they brighten things up in the winter. The peanut thing is a good idea that will keep them coming, but regarding the feeder they're been emptying onto the ground, you may want to check to see if you aren't thereby getting birds that prefer to feed there. If not, one solution is to fix a seed-catching tray below the feeder in question, which allows other birds use of the seed after the jays have left. You can buy specially made ones. My solution is that, plus I have feeders the jays can't use and the smaller birds fly in when the jays are gone- it's not like they're there full time anyway, the small birds I mean.

 

[OlManRivah]

Blue Jays can be a problem, but, they are so pretty. My wife and I were talking just the other day that we hadn't seen any Blue Jays. Bingo! They showed up this week.