New Concord bird enthusiast seeks help in attracting visitors to her feeder

DEAR JOAN: How long does it usually take birds to discover a new feeder? I’m new at this.

— Yvonne Moss, Concord

DEAR YVONNE: It’s sort of miraculous that birds find feeders at all. They’re soaring 20 to 30 feet above our yards, keeping one eye out for predators and avoiding sudden downdrafts, all while keeping the other eye out for food, water and shelter. Yet, when they do find a full feeder, they remember it and visit often, which means we have to keep shelling out for food, keep the larder filled and make sure everything is clean and tidy.

For the most part, birds don’t have a good sense of smell, so locating food is all done by sight and some possibly by hearing and word of beak. We can help birds find our feeders and visit our yard regularly by doing a few things to let them know they are welcome and safe.

Hang your feeder in a spot where it is more easily seen from above. Under a shady tree is not the best spot. If you plant bright flowers, that might get their attention, but birds also want to feel safe, so shrubs, evergreen trees and vines growing near a feeder will give them a place to escape to in case danger comes calling. Plants also give the birds a spot to sit and recharge their batteries.

Adding water to your landscape is another way to attract birds. Bird baths, fountains or even just shallow bowls of water provide an oasis to birds, especially in the heat.

Trying out a variety of foods can also attract attention. While many birds like seeds, others are fond of nuts, berries, fruit and mealworms. If you provide a buffet of different foods, you’re more likely to attract a variety of birds. Keep in mind that food likes and needs can change from season to season, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

You want to develop a reputation for having a safe yard, so if you have cats, keep them indoors. Shrubs are bird-friendly, but they also offer cover for approaching predators, so don’t place the feeders too close. Reduce or eliminate the use of insecticides in your yard – birds like to eat insects, too.

All this can take time, so keep the feeder clean and filled and have patience.

DEAR JOAN: A bird built a nest on a ladder on the side of the house. It’s been about a month since I noticed a single white egg about 1 inch long, and I have never seen a bird fly out of it.

How long should I wait before knowing the nest has been abandoned and that the egg will not hatch?

— Jerry, Menlo Park

DEAR JERRY: An egg that has been neglected for that long is not viable. Something might have happened to the bird that prevented her from returning, or she might have decided that wasn’t such a great place for a nest after all. Some birds will lay eggs in a few nests, but then select only one to call home.

When birds are laying multiple eggs, they do so over several days, and it might give the appearance of the nest being abandoned. So it’s best not to act too quickly. But in your case, after all this time, you can safely remove both egg and nest and reclaim the use of your ladder.

Animal Life runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.