I've never tried suet here in FL Tony. When we lived in NH I'd go through several pounds per week in the winter. All sorts of birds were attracted to it, but the woodpeckers were the most frequent diners.
Be sure to put your feeder in the shade, the suet will melt in the sun.

We've only used the suet 'squares' from the store, but the birds do like it....have seen the woodpeckers, as mentioned, the cardinals like it...some tiny bird - maybe a warbler...and yep..those blackbirds, too. It always goes really fast when we put it out and the birds are also on the ground underneath it, too. ..probably both from 'drippings' and from the bugs that it draws.

guess I am a lousy suet chef

I've used the suet with mixed reactions from the birds. The woodpeckers seemed to like it the most. Next to the squirrels that is :)

Do keep it in the shade. You may be right in that it best as a good cold weather food.

~Betsy

maybe it is the recipe??

I always made this one I am linking to below, but only in the cold months

Evelyn

Here is a link that might be useful: recipe for the birds

Darn doves dont even touch this stuff!

Here is a link that might be useful: Here is the recipe I used

Tony, I'm with you. I have never had any luck with suet of any type or recipe in Florida. I DO think you are more likely to succeed with it in cooler weather because the birds need a much higher energy type food then. And also because many types of suet cakes and mixtures spoil quickly in the heat. But even in winter, my woodpeckers prefer to eat sunflower seeds directly from the tray feeder, and they ALL ignore the suet.

I do buy the big SEED cakes (BirdOla, etc) that just look like lots of seeds, peanuts and fruit somehow molded into a large square. You probably know what I mean...there's no suet that you can see, just the seeds & fruit bits. I put that in a wire holder designed just for it, and the goldfinches will eat from that, until it gets too small for their short beaks to reach it through the wire. They still drop shells and a little bit of seed under the feeder, but they can't fling it all over while looking for something they like, so it's much less messy.

My goldfinches finally showed up about 3 weeks ago, and I've had as many as 30 in the yard at once. There are at least 4 that are almost completely yellow and black now. Just gorgeous. I haven't seen any buntings or grosbeaks this year, though. And the chipping sparrows left right when the goldfinches showed up. But I'm happy...I have my cardinals back, my white-winged doves are here, and my goldfinches. My seed-eating catbird and my seed-eating Myrtle warbler both left, after stuffing themselves for several weeks. (They obviously didn't get the memo telling them they prefer insects and fruit.)

I'm really happy now that the squirrels can't seem to reach the feeders any more. (Still knocking wood, though.)

Try one of the big seed cakes and see if you like it!

Marcia

I have seen those seed bells and squares, maybe I can make one AFTER I see if these finicky feathered friends will even touch a store bought one.

Here is a so so shot of the finches, I too have had a bunch at one time, but this pic shows the yellowist of em so far as of a week or so ago.

Thanks for the tip!
{{gwi:820349}}

Cool, Tony! I have one that has no more gray spots at all. He's completely bright yellow and black. Three others are ALMOST there. Hope yours stick around long enough for you to get a good look at one completely colored up. They are breathtaking.

I'm guessing the big seed blocks are "glued" together with clear gelatin or the like, but I sure don't know. They last a long time though and aren't real expensive, so I just use 'em as is. (I'm too lazy to put much work into it.)

Glad you are enjoying your garden birds this year!

Marcia

I sure wish I could get some Goldfinches! I have never seen them in St. Pete. I had, literally, hundreds on a thistle sock in Seattle when I lived there.

I've had good luck with suet. The squirrels of course, but also woodpeckers, blue jays and varied other birds.

Sometimes I make my own with bacon fat mixed with peanut butter and a variety of left over mixed nuts, bread scraps and raisins. I put it in the freezer then put it in the suet holder.

The homemade mixture lasts about a day or two before it's completely eaten.

And mine, no matter what kind or flavor, just sit there, turn moldy, and get thrown away. Go figger! (All the suet eaters must be at YOUR house, Saint!)

Marcia

Tony, I have made some with just suet and bird seeds.Made a ball and put it inside an onion mesh sox. Hung it in the shade and attracted woodpeckers and lots of ants as it melted.
Monday We saw a beautiful Bold Eagle flying right above my pond. Probably wanting my big lonely coy.
Felix