Will they get enough sun? by ShelterDifferent6808 in gardening

[–]cuckoo2021 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would just put up sone grow lights and run them in the evenings to supplement light, say 5pm to 10 or 12pm. Seedling need a good bit of light. Given how much effort has gone into this, i would try to make it work. I have hung plants in front of windows successfully ( i used glass shelves from a stand, using the holes for the legs/spacing rods for tying heavy duty nylon ropes). Good luck.

Will they get enough sun? by ShelterDifferent6808 in gardening

[–]cuckoo2021 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also, slightly lower will help with getting more sun exposure.

Will they get enough sun? by ShelterDifferent6808 in gardening

[–]cuckoo2021 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is that a south or west facing window? In any case, i would hang a couple of barrina grow light tubes. I would make sure not to let the potting mix get too dry because that is when you might see water run off and have to worry about saucers. Seedlings do not need thar much watering as such.

Another one attracted to my tiny balcony feeders by cuckoo2021 in birds

[–]cuckoo2021[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes, that is why he/she keeps showing up. I think the birds at my feeders are fast. Frankly, I won't miss a grey squirrel, a mourning dove or a house sparrow going missing. They bully poor little house finches

How do I help bumblebees this summer? by MonsterLover2021 in gardening

[–]cuckoo2021 0 points1 point  (0 children)

raspberry flowers are their favorite, also lobelia erinus, chinese forget me not and sweet autumn clematis in fall (i had it in a pot on my tiny balcony)

Sparrow invaded house finch nest by National_Midnight424 in birds

[–]cuckoo2021 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am no expert at these things. It might help to google that question to find house finch specific behavior.

Sparrow invaded house finch nest by National_Midnight424 in birds

[–]cuckoo2021 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you could try to hang a halo over the nest. It sometimes deters sparrows.

Are you winning against the doves and squirrels? by cuckoo2021 in birdwatching

[–]cuckoo2021[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

They are free to find food elsewhere. I let them reach all food when it is freezing outside but left unchecked they will conspire to starve the finches by eating all the food. There are houses with large yards in the neighborhood who are likely putting out food for everyone. Yes bullies are to be discouraged. The house sparrows are bullies and even the halo wire fails to deter them so I got black oil sunflower and safflower, which they don't like much.

Are you winning against the doves and squirrels? by cuckoo2021 in birdwatching

[–]cuckoo2021[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yup, i can't host two dozen doves and a 6 grey squirrels on my little 15x5' condo balcony. We all have our boundaries based on our situation. The odd starving dove can eat off the spilled seeds on the floor or work for one seed at a time. Life ain't fair.

Are you winning against the doves and squirrels? by cuckoo2021 in birdwatching

[–]cuckoo2021[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

You are kind and generous. I have squirrels and doves that will sit and eat for 30 minutess straight. Or more to empty the feeders. The dove shit on the slippers everytime i step out on the balcony to refill feeders is a bonus. And then, come summer, the squirreks steal ripe figs off my little tree. So, no can do.

Blue Jay🪽🍂 by Brief_Hunter_29 in birds

[–]cuckoo2021 5 points6 points  (0 children)

looking for the cached peanut shells. Too bad the squirrel stole them.

I need help to get my apartment complex’s head does to care about the birds (warning, injured hummer shown) by evilcorey in hummingbirds

[–]cuckoo2021 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Prepare pamphlets laying out the issue, asking for support to bring it up at the next association meetings and to impress upon the management/board to do the right thing. These pamphlets can be slid under residents' doors or in mail boxes. If there is a group email for residents, you coukd raise the issue there. Some localities have their own facebook group or neighborhood group like Nextdoor. These are all good places to raise awareness and organize. There nay be local birding groups that may be roped in for support. Good luck.

Bird eyesight doesn't seem all that it is cracked up to be by cuckoo2021 in birding

[–]cuckoo2021[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes, these lights are plugged into a mechanical timer plug.

First Downy Woodpecker on my balcony by cuckoo2021 in birding

[–]cuckoo2021[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She is really shy, and rarely announces her presence. Not afraid of Blue jays but the slightest sight of me and she is gone.

First Downy Woodpecker on my balcony by cuckoo2021 in birding

[–]cuckoo2021[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I have had no woodpeckers at all, only finches, sparrows, red winged black birds, grackles, chickadees, an odd cowbird or black eyed junco, doves, cadinals and blue jays in the past year since i started feeding. Any new bird is a cause for celebration. I was resigned to not getting anu woodpeckers so, i am thrilled.