Rain can spoil your seed

Goldfinches flock to a nyjer feeder.

If you didn't bring your feeders indoors during yesterday's rain, there's a good chance your seed is wet.

But you may be able to save it, if it's not moldy.  If it is, pitch it.  Moldy seed is not healthy for the birds.  And they're likely to reject it anyway.

To save wet seed: spread it on a cookie sheet and place in the oven at a low temperature for about 10 minutes, just enough to dry it out.  Stir the seed and cool.

Now that your feeder is empty, it's a good time to clean it; birds pick up diseases at dirty feeders.  Use a 10 percent bleach solution to sterilize.  Make sure the seed completely dry before replacing it in the feeder.

Get ready for the rainy season ahead by purchasing rain guards or weather domes for your feeders.  Find them at nature stores such as Wild Birds Unlimited.

Happy Birding!
J.J.