I bait sparrows year round

[maxtrouble]

Here is a great tool to help identify birds. Using this app on my phone and a pair of binoculars, I have identified all the birds where I shoot. Was very helpful in figuring out what bird is calling and identifying. HOSPs, cowbirds, grackles and starlings are always DRT. And those damn red squirrels.

Merlin Bird ID - Home

Identify Bird Songs and Calls Sound ID listens to the birds around you and shows real-time suggestions for who’s singing. Compare your recording to the songs and calls in Merlin to confirm what you heard. Sound ID works completely offline, so you can identify birds you hear no matter where you ar

merlin.allaboutbirds.org

Edit: The app has a tool called "Sound Id", that's the most helpful part.

 

[Headshots]

i dont shoot birds , only squirrels and coons that raid the feeders . also i only feed in the winter as there is plenty of natural feed here in the growing seasons . I am not in a pesting situation for birds .

I only put out seed on the ground and the birds finish off daily. Using a feeder where I live is just asking for trouble. Or leaving any food out at night for that matter.

 

[Struckat]

Thank you Max! I will be listening to birds in the morning.

 

[AmosBurton]

The Sound ID on Merlin is amazing. It can distinguish birds really well. I've had it ID a woodpecker by the speed/intensity of it pecking a tree!
When I hunt I'm often using my phone to ID birds with that app.

 

[airgunmike56]

Thanks for the bird ID , Way cool,,
I have had a big influx of Cowbirds in my yard this year, I know they are protected but not in my yard,, Must be the heat wave we are having , I usually see one or two a year but I have seen about 16 in my yard this year, Strange
Mike

 

[maxtrouble]

Thanks for the bird ID , Way cool,,
I have had a big influx of Cowbirds in my yard this year, I know they are protected but not in my yard,, Must be the heat wave we are having , I usually see one or two a year but I have seen about 16 in my yard this year, Strange
Mike

Cowbirds are invasive and lay their eggs in other bird's nests. They are always DRT.

 

[orangeokie]

I have a really active 25 yd kill zone in my backyard. The Sparrows congregate in the large shrub (just over the top of my scope) and fly up to the bare branches of the tree (circled in red) That is a measured 25 yd shot 24 feet above the ground. They drop on my side of the fence. I have learned to go out and collect the bodies right after shooting, because in this 100 degree plus heat index it only take a minute for the flies to find the corpse and lay eggs. Before today I was just allowing them to lay out until I was finished shooting, and when I went to pick them up, there were flies all over them. I would shoo the flies and drop the birds in a plastic grocery bag and tie it tightly closed and toss it in the garbage. Both me and my wife could smell it after a couple of days, but she didn't know what was the source. After the garbage truck dumped it after four or five days, the maggots were covering the bottom of the can. Sprayed 'em down with ant killer then washed out the can with bleach. Now I don't allow the flies to lay their eggs. I shoot and go out and pick them up.

I shoot from the shade of my back porch with a fan blowing on me. My wife came out and started doing some flower pruning about 30 yds away, at the other end of the yard. My BSA R10 with the Huma Air shroud and internal moderator was so quiet, she didn't even here me dropping about three more birds while she was out there. SBD . . . Silent But Deadly!

 

[orangeokie]

I have found that critters like squirrels and bunnies are on to my movements. They hear me and the dogs on the basement stairs long before we get to the door for the chase.

I don't shoot either one unless it is hunting season for them, and then I always eat them! Fried squirrel and biscuits with squirrel gravely, just like mom used to make.

 

[orangeokie]

Here is a great tool to help identify birds. Using this app on my phone and a pair of binoculars, I have identified all the birds where I shoot. Was very helpful in figuring out what bird is calling and identifying. HOSPs, cowbirds, grackles and starlings are always DRT. And those damn red squirrels.

Merlin Bird ID - Home

Identify Bird Songs and Calls Sound ID listens to the birds around you and shows real-time suggestions for who’s singing. Compare your recording to the songs and calls in Merlin to confirm what you heard. Sound ID works completely offline, so you can identify birds you hear no matter where you ar

merlin.allaboutbirds.org

Edit: The app has a tool called "Sound Id", that's the most helpful part.

That is what I use as well.

 

[airgunmike56]

Orangeokie , Chickenstratch is cheap and will bring them in and keep them coming Even with feed and water I have start shooting just the males late in the summer to keep them coming in, Its been about 120 degrees here in Odessa and I have an enclosed tabe for a shooting bench that I have a air conditioner that sets under the table that I add ice and water to, Its still hot, I dump my dead birds in the ally and feral cats and stray dogs eat everyone of them, Keeps them out of my fenced yard,
I got four home made feeders I will see if I can get a picture on my pine trees
Mike