Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

Raz, Pileated Woodpeckers LOVE suet. Not the grain-adulterated bird blocks, but the real stuff. Meijers sells it packaged in their meat department, it's really inexpensive. Take some hardware cloth and make a cage with a top that will open for filling, and attach it to a large tree trunk about head level that you can see from your window. (If you just leave it in an open cage the squirrels will steal it). My Pileateds are so tame I can walk to within 10 feet of them when they are on the feeders, and they just stare back at me.

 

[1muttsfan]

Silly, love the weathervane

 

[RaZ]

Raz, Pileated Woodpeckers LOVE suet. Not the grain-adulterated bird blocks, but the real stuff. Meijers sells it packaged in their meat department, it's really inexpensive. Take some hardware cloth and make a cage with a top that will open for filling, and attach it to a large tree trunk about head level that you can see from your window. (If you just leave it in an open cage the squirrels will steal it). My Pileateds are so tame I can walk to within 10 feet of them when they are on the feeders, and they just stare back at me.

That is great information. I used to get real suet all the time but I haven't found it up here yet. The closest Meijer is an hour away. I'll check with the local grocers to see if they have it. (I haven't looked for it)
I do put out the store-bought suet and the Downy and Hairy woodpeckers go through one a week. Then there are the four metal cans of bird seed, peanuts, BOSS, thistle, and striped sunflower seed. Not to mention the peanut butter log. I swear the animals eat better than I do.

I built several blue-bird boxes since the neighbors said that they are around. Might have to share the mealworms with them. The diversity of birds here is amazing.

I didn't see my snakes today but I wasn't out as much as usual. Another rack of wood stacked and another load to be cut was hauled in. Slow day. But the dogs were groomed and vet checked. All in all, just another day in paradise.

 

[1muttsfan]

Yes it's about an hour for me, too. Whenever I make it to the (small) Big City, I stock up and stick the packages in the freezer. My suet cage is an extra large one, and I just put the frozen chunks in as needed.

 

[chickflick]

What a beautiful morning! Warm(er) and sun shining, for now. Had rain during the night, so a bit soggy out there. Have a good day, all.

 

[1muttsfan]

Snowing here. Again.

 

[RaZ]

It started off rainy but a rather pleasant light rain as I let the chickens out. 20 minutes later the sun is out and it is absolutely beautiful. Going to hit 60 but the wind is supposed to pick up.
I think I'm going to get real busy real quick. I accepted an offer on my mom's house. Going to have to make a few trips to the city and get the rest of stuff out of there. Sure could use some help.

 

[aart]

I accepted an offer on my mom's house

WooHoo!!!Congrats!

Rained here overnight and this morn...now near 70 and sunny.

 

[chickflick]

1muttsfan, that's why I love to visit "up north" but wouldn't want to live there! Actually, don't get up north too much, but the northern part of lower MI.

 

[1muttsfan]

That's okay. It changed to sleet, then rain, now the sun is peering out off and on. Supposed to snow again tomorrow and Saturday, maybe 10" or so