[RangerXenos]

Why we have to take our birdfeeders down in the Spring. Damn bears got another feeder this week -- I hate to take them down because I love to watch the birds! I also am aggravated because if I'm going to lose a feeder, I want to at least see the bear, LOL! This shot was taken a couple of years back. Sometimes we catch them in the act, other times we just find a smashed feeder.

 

[RangerXenos]

After 15 years we finally managed to get a pair of Eastern Bluebirds to nest in the yard last year. Sadly, another bird tossed the eggs out (we think it was a Carolina wren).

 

[RangerXenos]

Woah! Where do you live? It is sad about your feeders. I can not imagine having an animal that big in my YARD! OMG! I sit outside in the morning to drink my coffee.... I would FREAK!

We live in Connecticut, we're in the suburbs, but not too far in the sticks, LOL! Burlington is one of the towns with the highest number of bear sightings in our little state. It keeps life interesting, LOL! I think we've lost 5 feeders in 15 years, not too bad, but they've all been in the last 4 years or so. I hate to take them down as we love to watch the birds; without the feeders out, they keep to the trees.

I do love to see the wildlife, the bear sightings are exciting, but I just wish they'd leave the feeders intact! It's getting expensive. You never know what you're going to see, bobcat have become regular visitors as well. I swear I saw a mountain lion a few years ago, though they keep claiming there haven't been any in the state for 30 years or so. Coyote and deer are always around. No moose yet, though.

 

[RangerXenos]

Here's a photo of our goldfinches. (a few days before the bear took down the feeder!) I have to take them through the window, they're skittish and won't come if I'm outside near the feeder.

 

[RangerXenos]

Here's a red tailed hawk that hung around most of the Winter. He got a few mourning doves, we'd find small piles of grey feathers in the yard -- they're not the brightest of birds, most birds head into the hedges when he's around so that the hawk can't get them.

 

[RangerXenos]

I have read that you can gradually decrease the amount of sugar in the nectar after the hummers start visiting the feeder. The article said they will continue to come at a ratio of even 1/9.

That's interesting, we'll have to try decreasing. We've always used 1/4 ratio.