16 replies to this topic

[Texachusetts]

I hung a water jug with a pinhole over a basin with stones and cannot believe the activity my home made dripper has brought. Pretty sure on most of these, but please confirm or contradict. All are North Central Massachusetts in July. First I was sure I could tell these apart now that I am more into birding, but he gave me a head-on look, not a profile. I think Purple Finch? Second is this a juvenile Brown-headed cowbird? Third drawn down from the treetops by my dripper, a black-throated green warbler? and also only seen high in the trees before the dripper, a chipping sparrow? Also the dripper brought my red-eyed alarm clock ...vireo down and I got some good pics of him too, but did not need ID on that one.

[psweet]

They all look good to me.

[Liam]

Seconded

[Texachusetts]

Thanks. I figure I graduated if I can do Purple vs House finches. Next level Downys and Hairys and if I can get a picture of the Hairy I'll see if I pass that one too.

[Aveschapines]

Love the dripper idea! I'm going to copy it if you don't mind.

[Aveschapines]

Thanks. I figure I graduated if I can do Purple vs House finches. Next level Downys and Hairys and if I can get a picture of the Hairy I'll see if I pass that one too.

Then there's empids...

[Texachusetts]

I'm still in birding elementary school, not working on my PHD!

[Texachusetts]

Aveschapines, the dripper works awesome. Speed of drip varies whether or not the cap is on the jug. At first the little birds were timid, but now the goldfinches thrash around as much as the robins. I have some great pics of wet birds and even a chicadee that hovered under the drip. I'll have to find the right forum to post them.

[Aveschapines]

Aveschapines, the dripper works awesome. Speed of drip varies whether or not the cap is on the jug. At first the little birds were timid, but now the goldfinches thrash around as much as the robins. I have some great pics of wet birds and even a chicadee that hovered under the drip. I'll have to find the right forum to post them.

I set one up today with things I had on hand. I found that the jug didn't drip (after a few minutes) with the cap on, but it's literally a tiny pin hole. I figured this can serve as a way to "turn it off" when it's raining or at night. I have definitely found that water attracts a lot of birds; I have several birdbaths and I think this will be the newest addition! Feeding (except the hummers) isn't practical for me, but bathing/drinking water really draws them in. If I could just get the Black-Vented Orioles to be less timid!!!

[Texachusetts]

I just used a pin. Mine drips slowly with the cap on but a fast drip, almost stream with it off. No birds the first day, but a robin tried it the second day and then everyone started arriving. Mine is on the ground and I also put a stake beside it and a little statue and rocks beside it. The smaller birds like the chicadees and titmice inch their way down the stake to the bath. Good luck.

[Aveschapines]

I just used a pin. Mine drips slowly with the cap on but a fast drip, almost stream with it off. No birds the first day, but a robin tried it the second day and then everyone started arriving. Mine is on the ground and I also put a stake beside it and a little statue and rocks beside it. The smaller birds like the chicadees and titmice inch their way down the stake to the bath. Good luck.

Maybe my hole is smaller. Mine drips in a tiny stream with the cap off, and stops dripping after 30 seconds or so with the cap on. How long does it take for your jug (a gallon, I assume) to empty? As I said, I already have a bunch of birdbaths so I imagine it will get used. I have a large plastic tub with a cement block in it for the grackles, robins and other larger birds, and shallow and deeper trays for the smaller guys (although the grackles also use those). I know the orioles are using the trays but they are VERY shy and fly off as soon as I even approach the door. What I haven't noticed is hummers bathing - maybe they'll like the drips!

[cestma]

I just used a pin. Mine drips slowly with the cap on but a fast drip, almost stream with it off. No birds the first day, but a robin tried it the second day and then everyone started arriving. Mine is on the ground and I also put a stake beside it and a little statue and rocks beside it. The smaller birds like the chicadees and titmice inch their way down the stake to the bath. Good luck.

Could you post a pic of your set-up, Tex? I've been meaning to do something similar as well.

--Diane G.

[Texachusetts]

Helen, with the cover on, about 12 hrs. Here is the pic of my set-up, and here is a pic taken through the deck railing from upstairs bedroom. You can see how the stake is used and that 3 species are present in this picture . This forum seemed like the wrong spot for a bunch of pictures, so I posted on the backyard and feeder forum with more pictures and explained the whole set-up.

[Aveschapines]

Thanks. I left it this morning with the cap half open, and it stopped dripping when about 1/4 empty. I jsut took the cap off and it's a slow drip. Maybe I need to enlarge the hole, or just leave it the way it is so I can turn it on and off! I put mine on a plastic bench above a plant saucer I'm not using right now; but I'll come up with something more permanent!

[Texachusetts]

Be sure and put some rocks in the saucer for footing. They don't like slippery surfaces.

[Aveschapines]

Be sure and put some rocks in the saucer for footing. They don't like slippery surfaces.

Yep, I did that. Thanks!

[cestma]

"...so I posted on the backyard and feeder forum..."

Off I go to find that post. Love the pics you've posted here.

--Diane