I use the same feed as I’m feeding in my feeders for bait, with a little millet mixed in, since I have the trap near my feeders. The trouble with the millet is that it keeps blowing off the trap, so the other seeds in the mix I use stay on the trap longer.
I have had the best luck with the trap elevated off the ground about 3′. I use an overturned plastic garbage can as a base, with a piece of plywood under the trap. This is especially important when the juncos come back in early winter, since they are ground feeders(usually). I have located the trap where they tend to land before going to the feeder too, with pretty good success.
I also have a wire stretched across the opening of my trap to keep out the cardinals and other larger birds(see some of my pics on pages 1 and 2). I do catch an occasional titmouse or chickadee, but only maybe once every couple of days. They don’t seem to fly around in a panic as much as the HOSPs do in the trap, and are fairly easy to grab with a gloved hand.
I mention the gloved hand, because a lot of the birds you try to get out of the trap do like to bite the glove while you are taking them out. Many times, they even keep biting the glove even when I have an open hand out of the trap. They usually do get the idea that they are free within 10 seconds or so, and rocket off.
Chris
Toledo, Ohio