I just wanted to share this discovery for anyone else who might find it of value. I am something of a newbie at supplemental bird feeding. I used to put out sunflowers in hanging feeders. There were three problems with this: 1) the feeders would be emptied in about two hours; 2) most of the sunflowers were eaten by English sparrows; 3) it made an ungodly mess on the ground.

Because of this, I would get frustrated and give up after a while.

This winter, though, I have hit on a formula that works for me and attracts the birds I love without the drawbacks listed above. Here's what I'm doing:

1) A tube feeder with nyjer seed, to attract goldfinches and other finches. Yes, the nyjer seed is expensive, but I only have to fill it about every week. And I often have half a dozen or so goldfinches at the same time.

2) A suet feeder, which attracts woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches.

3) Every morning I spread cracked corn on the ground, which attracts cardinals. I've had four cardinals at once in my backyard. Juncos, sparrows, and squirrels also eat the corn, but I don't mind.

This is a formula I think I can stick with, though I may take a break in summer. Others may want to give it a try.