Birdfeeders

If you want to feed birds, but are reluctant because of the mess left under a sunflower seed feeder, there is a solution for you. Instead of seed, put out whole in the shell peanuts. Put a bunch of these in a hanging platform feeder and watch what happens. Soon you will have blue jays, titmice, chickadees and many others stopping by. They will stay for a moment, then take a peanut and fly off to a nearby branch to get to work on opening the shell. You can also add other nuts to the selection in the platform feeder. Try Brazil nuts, hickory nuts and acorns to see what your visitors like the most. Woodpeckers may also eat whole nuts, especially during the winter. One word of caution - be sure local squirrels cannot get to your hanging platform feeder, for they love peanuts and will clean you out in no time.