The birds love it when I put sunflower seeds around the roots of the lilac bush! They seem to love getting in there among all the stalks to find all the goodies waiting for them. After I put the seed out I went and got my camera and just stood there and waited on them to come in to eat. For little birds Chickadees don't seem to mind people as much as other birds.
@maggiemae - Not long at all for two reasons.
1. It is so cold all they want to do is eat.
2. Chickadees are very friendly birds. They will come in close when I am throwing the seed on the ground. If you do have time, patience and stand still, you can hold a handful of seed in your hand and they will eat right out of your hand. But that does take a little while longer.
@eyesmile - You mentioned them being thankful. Most of the time when I am putting seed out you can hear them making their unique, "dee dee dee" sound as though they are thanking you. That makes it fun.
@joansmor - Mine is starting to get ugly too now that the temperature is above freezing. The sun hits the seed hulls and warms them up which is melting the snow and it doesn't look very pretty. But if there is a bush in your yard you could throw seeds there. They'll find them and you'll have a cleaner looking background.
1. It is so cold all they want to do is eat.
2. Chickadees are very friendly birds. They will come in close when I am throwing the seed on the ground. If you do have time, patience and stand still, you can hold a handful of seed in your hand and they will eat right out of your hand. But that does take a little while longer.