Safflower, Thistle or Sunflower? Which Will Birds Prefer? [Draft One]

This Progress Report submitted by Emily Orians, Nicole Hubacher, Anita Yelton, Mike Purcell, Larissa Loufman [e-mail:oriansec@muohio.edu] on 10/27/05.

Our feeders are up! Several changes have been made since our idea was conceived:

1. Instead of the field that we'd dubbed "Peabody Field" for the purpose of our project, we are using the trees beside Presser Hall. This was done for several reasons, including: the trees were more accessible in terms of reachable branches and location.

2. Instead of twine we are using 50 lb weight fishing line.

3. We wanted to fill each feeder to approximately the same point. We filled each feeder to this point with each different feed type and the mix, then measured the weight (in grams) of each. We will use that weight for future measurements.

4. Our first run was on Wednesday when Mike went out, gathered all the feed in separate bags and refilled the feeders. He said that it took awhile, but we're confident that with practice the process will take less time.

5. We also decided that instead of weighing the collected seed immediately after we bring it back, we'll weigh everything at the same time once a week so that we can all be involved in the weighing/calculating etc.

6. After speaking to Dr. David Russell, we now have a list of common birds to watch for at the feeders. He also told us that safflower is a peculiar seed, meaning that birds usually need to be weaned onto it. We feel that the mix of seed may help to wean the birds, and that if the amount of safflower seed we bring back from the feeders decreases significantly in a week or so it will give provide interesting results and contemplations.
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