Down at the Refuge: Mixed Bag

Mark Trainor has been clicking away at the refuge these last couple of weeks and has had some very cool wildlife encounters. Finding a drake Cinnamon Teal was perhaps the most exciting find.

Cinnamon Teal is a rare visitor to Florida - beautiful bird

This Cooper's Hawk is clearly a rebel!

How cool is this picture? Northern Mockingbird eating a berry.



A River Otter enjoying the warm sunshine on his face



Beautiful portrait of a Brown Pelican



A Bald Eagle surveys his kingdom




Red-shouldered Hawks are probably the most frequently seen raptor at the refuge


All pictures taken by Mark Trainor

Backyard Birder: Summer Tanager in Winter!

Tara Tanaka was recently awarded the prestigious title of "Swarovski Digiscoper of the Year" and we are delighted that she has joined our backyard birder crew. Tara lives in Tallahassee and her backyard is a beautiful swamp! She'll be posting her amazing pictures of birds & wildlife that visit her yard for us to enjoy.

For the second year in a row this Summer Tanager visited our yard.  We’d seen him around the yard about a week before, but he first appeared at our water feature on January 26^th.  He was a regular visitor there until a few days ago.   We hope to see him again next year.  All of the photos are digiscoped (using a camera mounted on a spotting scope), which allowed me to zoom in on last year’s and this year’s photos, checking the folds around both eyes and the unique shape of his bill, confirming that it was the same bird.

by Tara Tanaka

Like the Baltimore Oriole most Summer Tanagers leave the United States for the winter, but a few remain behind and utilize backyard feeding stations when natural food is hard to come by. Summer Tanagers particularly like to feed on high energy products, like suet, during the winter.

Wildlife Viewing is Popular

Results from the 2011 Florida Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey have been released. The survey was conducted by Responsive Management INC. and the data will be used to update the state' comprehensive outdoor recreation plan in 2013.



49% of Floridians participate in Wildlife Viewing Trips. Wildlife Viewing was the second most popular activity.



94% of Floridians said that being close to nature was important to them



98% of tourists and 96% of Floridians stated that outdoor recreation was important too them



To see the results from the 2011 survey click here

To Hell and Back? More like Paradise!

Liz and I got to spend a day with WFSU-TV's Roberto Diaz De Villegas and Dan Peeri in Franklin County exploring the Apalachicola Wildlife Environmental Area and Tate's Hell State Forest. The video clip above aired on WFSU-TV's Dimensions show last week.

Rob writes a blog for WFSU called "In the Grass, On the Reef" which promotes eco-tourism and educates people on the ecological importance of our wild lands.

The next show will air on February 29th at 730pm on WFSU and will highlight kayaking and camping with Wilderness Way. If you don't get this channel in your area you'll be able to watch the program on Rob's blog the week after the show airs (see link above).

Sand Beach Tower - Apalachicola WEA - Dan Peeri - WFSU - TV

Graham Creek, Tate's Hell - Dan Peeri - WFSU - TV



Pick up maps and recreation guides at our kiosks - Dan Peeri - WFSU - TV



The Apalachicola Paddling Trail System is a kayaker's dream - Dan Peeri - WFSU - TV

For more information on the Apalachicola Paddling Trail System click here.

For more information on the Apalachicola Wildlife Environmental Area click here.  

The Apalachicola area is one of Florida's best kept secrets with many great opportunities for birders, wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers to enjoy. Cebe Tate may well have thought he was in hell but I can assure you it really is paradise.

by Andy Wraithmell

Backyard Birder: Raising Bluebirds

In March of 2010 I put out an Eastern Bluebird nesting box for the first time.  I had never seen an Eastern Bluebird since moving in 2008 to my house that is near Maclay State Park.  Carolina Chickadees started building a nest and then shortly afterwards I looked out front to see an Eastern Bluebird on top of the nesting box! I bought another box, set it up, and so began my exciting experiences with Eastern Bluebirds.



Carolina Chickadee with nesting material



Male attempting to mate with female at the new box in 2010



These three fledglings from the first clutch would always show up together for the next several months



One juvenile became a helper with the last clutch and would bring mealworms to the box

It was interesting watching the juveniles encourage the last remaining bluebird to fledge.  They would land on the ground in front of the box and hop around and then alight on top of the box and then back again to the ground. 



In 2011 what seemed to be the original pair nested again and I took this photo of them posing beautifully



Last year for the third clutch the female Eastern Bluebird built a nest in the never used Great Crested Flycatcher’s box which took a lot more work!  As she was inside the box working on the nest, a Great Crested Flycatcher landed on top of the box.



Great Crested Flycatcher



This year the Eastern Bluebirds are back out front and there are five eggs in the nest. Last week as part of the mating behavior, he was feeding her mealworms. I am looking forward to another great Eastern Bluebird nesting season.

by Judy Lyle

Blast from the Past: Fort Pickens

David Goodwin is a retired history teacher and full-time birder from Hillsborough County. Dave will be writing a montly history and birding post for "On the Trail". His first post is about Fort Pickens near Pensacola.

Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore

One of the great places on the Florida Great Birding & Wildlife Trail is Fort Pickens, one of Florida’s historic treasures. Sitting at the mouth of Pensacola Bay, the fort was designed to provide, along with Forts McRee and Barrancas, protection for naval ships anchored within the harbor near Pensacola. Construction on the fort began in 1829 and the fort was completed five years later. The fort first saw military action when confederates demanded its surrender in early 1861. The commander refused, and when the fort was reinforced the day after Ft. Sumter surrendered in South Carolina, Federal control throughout the war was all but guaranteed. If the Confederates had attacked right away, the Civil War would have started in Florida rather than South Carolina! Confederate troops under General Braxton Bragg made one serious but futile attempt to capture the fort at the Battle of Santa Rosa Island in November, 1861. One last bombardment of Fort Pickens took place in January of 1862, again with very little damage. Soon after, the Confederates abandoned any attempts to control Pensacola Bay, and Fort Pickens was used as a prison by the Union for the remainder of the war years.

After the war, Fort Pickens was largely forgotten until 1886 when fifteen Apache warriors were imprisoned there along with their families. One was the famous warrior Geronimo who quickly became a major tourist attraction. When the indians were moved to Alabama in 1888, the sensationalism quickly died down.

The Spanish-American War in 1898 brought the military back to Fort Pickens with the construction of Battery Pensacola on the parade ground and Battery Worth just east of the old fort. Other guns were mounted nearby and a system of mines and floating booms were installed to protect the mouth of the bay. On June 20, 1899, a fire broke out in the old fort which eventually set off 8,000 pounds of powder stored in the northwest bastion. The explosion destroyed the bastion and damaged much of the surrounding fort. The army simply used the “new” entrance to easily access Battery Pensacola.

During World War I, Battery Langdon and several other defenses were built to improve the harbor defenses. During World War II, Fort Pickens was still used for storage, but her weapons were mostly obsolete. By 1947, many of the old guns had been removed and the property declared surplus. In 1949, Fort Pickens was placed under the control of the Florida State Park System, and in 1971 was incorporated into the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Thanks to the National Park Service, Fort Pickens is open today as a historical landmark tracing our nation’s history for almost two centuries. It is also great that the natural areas surrounding the old walls and gun batteries have become a hotbed of birding rarities and a great place for birds to “reload” (pun intended!) during migration.

Several times Fort Pickens has been the site for one of Florida’s real rarities - Sage Thrasher. In 1976 one remained for about six weeks and a second record occurred in January of 1981. In 2011, another showed up at the fort as well, making Fort Pickens a “hot spot” in Florida for this species. Another very rare bird in Florida, a Green-tailed Towhee, made an appearance at the fort in 2011.Groove-billed Anis show up frequently with a high of eight reported in 1992. Large numbers of migrants are frequently reported during “fall-outs” along the coast, both spring and fall. These events are weather related, but occur almost every year. Even without a fallout, the birding during migration can be spectacular!

Rarities such as this Green-tailed Towhee have been recorded at the fort in recent years

Fort Pickens is a great spot to combine a love of birds with a love for the story of our country. All you have to do is “Get out there”!

 For more information about Fort Pickens click here

Big Dunk, Little Dunk: In the Beginning

Please let me introduce Tom and Jack Dunkerton, who will be contributing to "On the Trail" on a monthly basis. Tom is a professional photographer and Nikon Prostaff member of great repute and his 7 year old Jack is following in his footsteps. Merritt Island NWR is their backyard; Tom's wife and Jack's mum works at the refuge. Here is their inaugral post. All the bird pictures and captions were taken and written by Jack. Enjoy!



Father and Son - look's cold there guys!

I think it’s only fair that at the start of this inaugural entry in addition to introducing ourselves, you get a brief explanation as to how this freight train started rolling.
 

Growing up in Staten Island, New York I was always outside.  Treasure hunting wherever I roamed leaving no stone or log unturned often returning home with a snake or frog.  Fast forward to the mid 80’s when I met the woman who would spark my interest in bird watching and who would eventually become my wife.  Yep, it’s all her fault!

 My passion for birding has certainly increased over the years becoming far more than just a casual recreation so much so that my son Jack got his first mosquito bite at 3 months old hiking around with me in the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville, FL.
 Like any dad it was my grandest hope that as Jack grew up he might share my interest in birds or at the very least an appreciation for nature.  I knew full well that this kind of passion has to come from within so I never dared to force it upon him.  He has certainly developed a pretty good working knowledge of natural things for a 7 year old and I’m only too happy to walk with him in whichever direction he chooses to go.

  I am also an avid wildlife photographer and just for fun some time last year he took a ride with me through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  In order to make it a little more interesting, I put one of my cameras on a tripod, put it in front of him and told him to let it rip!  Once he had a few shutter clicks under his belt he turned to me and said “I think I could really get into this!”  My heart skipped a beat. 

American Bittern My Dad said this is a secretive bird. It didn’t look like a secret to me, it let me take lots of pictures of it.

by Tom Dunkerton 



Horned Grebe: So many people were taking pictures of this bird because it was so close.  It was fun to watch it dive for fish.  It came up for air right in front of me!



We’ve been going out birding and shooting about once a week for the past couple of months and I’ve always told him when he doesn’t want to go just say so, the worst thing I could do is make him do something he doesn’t feel like doing, except for homework of course!
 Needless to say it’s been a fun winter for him and I and what’s made it even better is the wonderful array of waterfowl and other wintering birds we’ve been viewing at Merritt Island NWR.  The opportunity to get up close and personal with any species goes a long way when trying to explain field marks, differentiate males and females and especially for attributing behaviors to specific birds.



Belted Kingfisher:  So many times we tried to get pictures of the Belted Kingfisher but he always flew away, I guess this one just got too tired.


While I’ve done all the yammering this time, in the future Jack and I will be embarking on monthly adventures to a variety of Great Florida Birding Trail sites around the Space Coast area and we’re looking forward to sharing what we find.

Backyard Birder: The Barred Owl - an unusual backyard bird

J V O Weaver and his wife Sharon have homes in Niceville and in Miami and split their time between the two. Their two backyards are both diverse and attract different species. When they aren't birding in their backyards they like to visit our trail sites. The Weaver's love photography and it shows in their pictures. Stay tuned for more backyard birding adventures from J V O and Sharon.

My wife, Sharon, was looking out a window on our back porch last February, at our beautiful backyard.  It abuts an “Environmentally Protected Area” also known as “the swamp’.   The swamp is home to a myriad of critters: we’ve seen fox, bobcat, opossum, thousands of squirrels and heard the bellows of a gator or two.  I heard Sharon shout for me to “grab the camera, you’ve gotta see this!”

Perched in a giant tree was an unusual daytime visitor.



Copyright J V O Weaver


I grabbed a Nikon with a 300mm lens and set it all up on a tripod and began shooting through the window.  Our visitor looked at us and the camera and didn’t seem to mind a bit.  He just sat there as if he owned the place.



Copyright J V O Weaver




Copyright J V O Weaver





After a while, I decided I’d try my luck at shooting the owl without a window glass between us.

I went out the front door and very quietly, I circled the house and walked closer to the owl.  He just sat there.  I moved closer, set up the tripod and held my breath that the owl wouldn’t bolt.  He just sat there.  And I started shooting.  I bracket my shots.  I changed f-stops and shutter speeds.  After a hundred or so exposures I moved even closer.

Copyright J V O Weaver

Eventually, the owl decided to move to another tree.  It was now getting dark so I added a flash to get one last shot.  That one did it.  The owl left and as far as I know, he’s never been back.



copyright J V O Weaver

Whoopee for Whooping Cranes!

Whooping Cranes are perhaps the most popular bird species in North America and the Operation Migration project has attracted a lot of attention as a result. There aren't many Whooping Cranes left in the world and for many years environmental groups have been working hard to conserve and protect this endangered species. Operation Migration is one of many projects dedicated to the goal of sustaining and increasing the Whooping Crane population.
In the latter part of the 19th century over a thousand Whooping Cranes existed, but by 1941 they were on the verge of extinction as only 15 wild birds remained! Thanks to a multi-oragnizational effort the number increased to over a hundred birds by the millenium. As of 2011 there are over 400 Whooping Cranes living free and wild in North America and almost 200 in captivity. Programs such as Operation Migration are essential for the continued survival of this magnificent bird.
In the last few years Operation Migration have been bringing juvenile Whoopers to Florida, using light aircraft, which the birds are taught to follow by a team of dedicated workers. This teaches the juvenile cranes their migration route so that when spring arrives the birds naturally head north returning to Wisconsin. As they grow older the cranes pass on this learned trait to their own young.
For reasons I won't go into, this years Operation Migration class were unable to make it all the way to Florida and had to be released in Alabama. Disappointing for the thousands of Floridians in the Big Bend area who were looking forward to seeing yet another successful class reach the state. However, 2 male Whooping Cranes from the class of 2009 did return to our area for the winter, and have been enjoyed by local birders and wildlife lovers for several weeks. Our own Mark Trainor was able to capture some pictures of the cranes recently.

As you can see in the pictures, the cranes are wearing large plastic color bands. They are also fitted with transmitters so that biologists can track the cranes movements. It is very important that we respect these birds and minimize disturbance. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership has some guidelines on what to do if you see a Whooping Crane.

Should you be fortunate enough to encounter these birds, use extreme caution in observing the cranes and do not attempt to approach them. Click here to read the rest of these guidelines.

If you do see a color banded Whooping Crane you can report your sighting here.

The Class of 2011 are safe and well in Alabama. To see pictures of their release click here.

One of our Backyard Birder contributors, Judy Lyle, captured some great video of one of the Whooping Cranes displaying recently. It's not only people who have fun dancing!

The movie below is from WFSU program "Dimensions" and highlights the class of 2009, which the 2 males that are currently present in our area were part of. Clever boys! Congratulations to all the different organizations who have worked hard with Operation Migration to make this project a success. Hopefully one day in the future there willl be good numbers of wintering Whooping Cranes in the Big Bend area.

For more information on Whooping Cranes and Operation Migration click here.

Birding & Wildlife Events - February & March

February 17th to 20th 2012 - Great Backyard Bird Count

Warmer temperatures and lack of snow in parts of North America are setting the stage for what could be a most intriguing 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, coming up February 17-20. Bird watchers across the U.S. and Canada are getting ready to tally millions of birds in the annual count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.

Visit the GBBC website for more information

February 18 & 19 2012 - Florida Ornithological Society Great Backyard Bird Count Event

Take part in the first FOS Birding Weekend, February 18 & 19 in Clewiston. This is open to anyone, whether you are an FOS member or not. We want non-members to learn about FOS and the Florida Breeding Bird Atlas II. On Saturday we will meet at the McDonalds in Clewiston near the Walmart at 8:00 AM and bird the hotspots around the "Big O". After dinner Saturday evening, we will gather at the Clewiston Museum from 7:00 - 9:00 for a social time/chat about birding, FOS, the Breeding Bird Atlas, the Big O Birding Festival and anything else you want to talk about. Sunday morning we will meet again at the McDonalds at 7:00 to depart for STA-5, birding along the way, meeting at the entrance to STA-5 by 8:00 AM. If you haven't been to STA-5 before, you really need to visit this place! We will be participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count for STA-5 (What a backyard!). We will also keep records for Saturday's trip for the GBBC.


February 18th 2012 - Orlando Wetlands Fesitval

Come out to celebrate the Orlando Wetlands Park with guided birding, native plant, photography and wilderness hikes, plus bus tours, hayrides, live animal demos and entertainment, kids' activities, door prizes and much more! The festival starts at 9 AM and ends at 3 PM.

February 18th 2012 - Gemini Springs Field Trip with Seminole Audubon Society

A guided bird, plant and geology hike of this 210 acre Volusia County park.
Meet: at the park at 9 am
Cost: Free
Gemini Springs: 37 Dirksen Drive, DeBary, FL

Visit Seminole Audubon's website for more information
.

February 18th 2012 - Apalachee Audubon Wildlife Friendly Yard Tour

It's that time of year again for the Annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour sponsored by Apalachee Audubon and it is an important fundraiser for our chapter. If you haven't done this tour before, those who have will tell you it's one of the best $10 you can spend for an activity here in Tallahassee. This year we have chosen seven hosts for their environmentally friendly yards and for the great ideas they have come up with to attract local and migrant birds and wildlife. With this tour happening in the middle of winter, it is not your typical spring time garden tour. It's a chance to see the 'bones' of the yard and catch a glimpse of some fabulous winter birds. Winter is planting time so you can take notes then go home and start that yard project you've always wanted to do and then welcome the birds of spring to nest in your yard. The event takes place on Saturday, February 18th from 10 am - 4 pm. Tickets will be available, starting January 23rd at Native Nurseries (1661 Centerville Rd.) and Wild Birds Unlimited (1505-2 Governor's Square Blvd.) and will be available through the day of the tour. The tour takes place rain or shine. Birds are very active when it's stormy, so don't let that stop you. Once you purchase your ticket, you will be given all the information you need for the tour. It's shaping up to be another spectacular year not to be missed! Spread the word and bring your friends. Help us make this tour the most successful yet. We thank the hosts, both past and present, who have volunteered their yards and time, and the long list of volunteers who have helped make this event so special.

 February 19th 2012

Apalachee Audubon is holding a Great Backyard Bird Count event at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee from 8am to 2pm. We will be counting birds from 830am to 1230pm and then flocking to the picnic pavilion for a potluck lunch afterwards. The program is free with paid park entrance ($6 per vehicle) and registration is not required. Loaner optics will be available and both members and non-members of all ages are welcome.

February 25th 2012 - Southwest Florida 10th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival
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Cape Coral, FL is home to the largest known population of the Florida Burrowing Owl, with more than 2500 documented burrows. These pint-sized birds burrow underground where they nest from late February through July. The Florida Burrowing Owl is now the official city bird of Cape Coral. Please join us as this family fun-filled event celebrates the start of their nesting season. Festival highlights include Paige the Eagle and other raptors from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey (ACBOP), wildlife artists, nature inspired arts and craft vendors, environmental and wildlife exhibitors, guided nature walks for wildlife viewing, bus tours to local burrowing owl burrows, and native plant sales. Take a tour through the live butterfly house and learn about their host and nectar plants. Children will enjoy the free arts and craft events. Demonstrations will be given on digging an owl starter burrow and its maintenance. Indoor speakers with presentations to delight you include wildlife educator Lynda White from ACBOP, renowned wildlife biologist, teacher and scholar Dr. Jerry Jackson, noted Sanibel author Charles Sobczak, and accomplished photographer Dan Tudor. There will be food and music, so plan to spend the day. The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM. Sponsored by the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. Click here for more details.

March 10 2012 - Nature Journaling Workshop

Orange Audubon Society is presenting a special Nature Journaling workshop March 10, 2012 for children ages 7-12 at Orlando Wetlands Park. Certified Florida Master Naturalists Robert and Cynthia Amoruso will lead participants in a guided walk through the Park, and by quiet observation, children will be encouraged to draw and write about what they see. Please bring a small notebook, unlined or lined, pencils, and a backpack to carry these things plus a light snack and water. Wear hats and closed toed shoes. Cost is $10 per child for Audubon members, $16 for non-members; parents are welcome to participate at the same rates. Pre–registering is required. Questions can be directed to Robert Amoruso at Wildscapeimages@att.net.

March 17 2012 - Pelican Island Wildlife Festival
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A Celebration of the Treasure Coast’s natural resources and the 109th birthday of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. An average of 8,000 people expected. Many exhibitors line the sidewalks of Riverview Park, including arts & crafts, environmental, and food vendors. Live wildlife shows feature birds of prey and reptiles throughout the day. Discounted Pelican Island tours by pontoon boat depart every 45 minutes. Special kid’s activities and live music are offered non stop throughout the day. An incredible photography display features entries and winners of the festival photography contest. A full day of fun and leisure for the whole family. Click here for more information.

March 23 & 24 2012 - Chinsegut Birding & Wildlife Festival

Come out for the annual Chinsegut Birding and Wildlife Festival at FWC's Chinsegut Conservation Center in Hernando County, Brooksville. Ken Meyer will give a presentation on Swallow-tailed Kites on Friday evening. The festival offers field trips, kid's activities, educational programs, a bird banding demonstration and much more. Hope to see you there!
Click here for more information.



March 28 to 31 2012 - Big "O" Birding Festival

The Big "O" Birding Extravaganza is a Glades/Hendry County cooperative event in South Central Florida on the Southwest shores of Lake Okeechobee, the state’s largest lake. Glades and Hendry counties are becoming a mecca for bird watching. We’re home to more than 300 species of birds, including Limpkins and migratory Swallow-tailed Kites, and Painted Buntings which pass through during October and April. Five Great Florida Birding Trail sites are within the region: Dinner Island Ranch and Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest and Wildlife Management Areas, and Stormwater Treatment Area #5 (STA5) are in Hendry County, and Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area—East & West are in Glades County. Expect to see ducks such as the Fulvous Whistling-Duck and the Mottled Duck; shorebirds like Black-necked Stilt; waders such as Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork and Least Bittern; and specialty raptors including Crested Caracara, Snail Kite, Short-tailed Hawk and Barn Owl. Plus, we’re always on a quest for that elusive Smooth-billed Ani. Come help us look! Click here for more information.

Meet the Team

Mark Kiser and Andy Wraithmell were both working at the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival recently and were both interviewed by Visit Florida's Nature Insider, Kevin Mims. Kevin's very popular blog features exciting things to do and beautiful places to visit throughout the state. Check it out. Here are Mark and Andy's respective interviews.

Backyard Birder: Baltimore Oriole

Backyard birder will become a regular feature of our blog and will strive to share, educate and highlight one of our nations most popular pastimes. Judy Lyle from Tallahassee will be one of our regular contributors, and to start the ball rolling she has sent me a selection fantastic pictures she took this week of a gorgeous male Baltimore Oriole. He is the first one she has seen visiting her jelly feeders. Awesome pictures, Judy!

"A Baltimore Oriole visits for the first known time in my front yard and checks outs the Oriole feeder that is hanging in a crape myrtle tree."



"Lots of other birds were present and that might have made him feel safer." 



"Another view."

"The Baltimore Oriole lands on the feeder and nibbles the homemade suet.  He leaves a few seconds later and I quickly go inside and grab some grape jelly to put in the feeder."

"Ten minutes later the Baltimore Oriole returns and samples the grape jelly.  He must have liked it because I saw him again the next day."



"One from this afternoon’s visit and he is on the perch in front of grape jelly."



Baltimore Orioles can be found throughout much of the Eastern United States from April to October. Most of the population heads south to the tropics for the winter but a good number of them winter in the South-east. Their numbers vary from winter to winter depending on the availablity of food. Baltimore Orioles have adapted to the increase in backyard bird feeders, particularly grape jelly feeders and here in Tallahassee the Baltimore Oriole is a common winter resident. Some backyards attract lots of orioles and small flocks of up to a dozen birds are not uncommon. If you haven't already tried attracting orioles to your backyard or if you have tried and are having no luck, follow these tips and you may get one like Judy did.

1. Hang your feeder on a shepherd's hook next to a large evergreeen shrub or hedgerow that has larger trees (preferably evergreen) close by. Orioles like to approach a feeder from cover.
2. Hang several oriole feeders up around your yard and spread them out.
3. Bright orange feeders seem to attract them more than plain colored ones.
4. Keep the feeder clean.
5. Feeders with a built in ant moat prevent ants from getting to the jelly!