Bird feeders

DamoRed

Having bought a few things such as fat balls and nut containers in Lidl yesterday, I'd be interested to know a couple of things.

My garden is not an area that's normally attracts finches, tits and other small colourful birds, but the usual selection of blackbirds, robins, thrushes etc. are constantly seen. Is it just a matter of waiting until a chance sighting on a flypast catches the eye of one of the target species?

I've got them hanging in an area that's got plenty of cover and alternative perches. Should I have them in a more open spot where they're more visible?

I'd be interested in photographing them when and if they become regulars. I keep my Garfield persona well hidden! :P

So how does 'word' get around? Maybe I should get on twitter and announce the new 'diner'.

Inexile

If there are finches etc in the area then they will find them. Robins are ground feeders so they may not use them.

Spread them out - put one in an open area and leave one where you have it at the moment and see which one attracts the most.

Most of the birds love fat balls so your garden should become a popular spot.

DamoRed

Thanks for the info. I will place another couple in different spots tomorrow and see what happens. I'll try keep them visible from the kitchen, as the first one is, so I can keep an eye on them with the binoculars without disturbing them.

Bookworm85

It might take a day or two but they will spot them! I filled up my own feeders this morning for the first time since march/april and I had plenty of visitors

A word of warning regarding the fat balls though, if they have that really fine green mesh on them, remove it before you give it to the birds. Their little feet can get tangled in the netting and cause quite a bit of damage. I put mine in a feeder like this

DamoRed

Thanks, Bookworm. The fine green mesh you mention is indeed what they are packaged in. As I got two nut feeders, I'll remove some of the nuts from one and put in a couple of fat balls in alternate layers with the nuts.

Bookworm85

You're welcome just another thing. Only put out a little bit of food out at a time to begin with. If you put out more than the birds can eat you run the risk of attracting vermin into the garden.

Put out a few peanuts or seeds first and when you start getting more attention and regular visitors you can increase the amount.

DamoRed

Wahey! Good news... I saw a pair of blue tits and a great tit feeding today. I don't know actually how many blue tits in total were there or what else was there, but I saw at least a pair of them on the feeder at the same time.

scudzilla

Had 2 tits feeding in our garden for the past few weeks.

As for fat balls i make my own, a LOT cheaper and they seem to last longer.

Have 3 coconuts, i just pick up some cheap lard from the supermarket, heat it, throw in a load of bird food, pour into coconuts, put them out and let the battle commence!!

Mrs Garth Brooks

Where do ye hang these feeder things? I picked up some of those balls and not a feeder thing yet because idont know where to hang it.
Or do you need the feeders at all? I have a bird table. Can I just leave them on that or does it have to be in the feeder yokes.

scudzilla

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

Where do ye hang these feeder things? I picked up some of those balls and not a feeder thing yet because idont know where to hang it.
Or do you need the feeders at all? I have a bird table. Can I just leave them on that or does it have to be in the feeder yokes.

I picked up 3 hanging basket brackets from homebase, only 2/3euro each, screwed them into back fence and away ya go

DamoRed

I have to say I'm surprised at the results I've seen in the different feeders after about a week. I filled two feeders, one with sunflower seeds and fatballs and one with peanuts and fatballs. The sunflower one is in need of a refill with only 1/8 remaining, while the peanuts are still at about 3/4. I'm going to leave them, though, and see if they will turn their attention to the peanuts in the absence of anything else.

As well as the blue tits and great tits mentioned above, there are now coal tits among the gang. Still no finches or other species, though. Do they mix socially?

Alun

DamoRed wrote: »

I have to say I'm surprised at the results I've seen in the different feeders after about a week. I filled two feeders, one with sunflower seeds and fatballs and one with peanuts and fatballs. The sunflower one is in need of a refill with only 1/8 remaining, while the peanuts are still at about 3/4. I'm going to leave them, though, and see if they will turn their attention to the peanuts in the absence of anything else.

As well as the blue tits and great tits mentioned above, there are now coal tits among the gang. Still no finches or other species, though. Do they mix socially?

I get through very few peanuts usually, and usually end up throwing them away as they get damp and rot, but this year I've been invaded by hordes of great tits and they've eaten half a feeders worth in a week! I've also got, as I do every year, a gang of goldfinches who seem to mix with them OK. If you want to attract finches try nijer seed, but you'll need a special feeder otherwise it'll get everywhere as the seeds are so small.

It can vary though from year to year, so don't worry.

Bookworm85

For those who are interested Aldi have a great deal on bird feeding stuff next Thursday 25th.

They've a good selection of seeds and nuts, fat balls, a feeding station and feeders! I've gotten similar from them in previous years and they're great quality and value!

Getting lots of visitors so far, we've had goldfinch, a gang of about 6 coal tits, blue tits, house sparrows, blue tits, great tits, linnets and our resident robin is getting fatter by the hour.

Had to rescue a great tit from the greenhouse the other day, went out the back for a smoke and could hear him banging around off the panes of glass. Managed to corner him eventually and nab him with the net that we need for the fishpond. Cute litte bugger

If anybody is interested, this is the best time of year to put up some nest boxes. Putting them up now will get your visitors used to seeing them and will know where to look when they start breeding. Last year watched our robin rear 2 clutches. We also had a wrens nest, blackbird and blue tits!

DamoRed

I knew I missed writing something, but couldn't think what it was... it was the Aldi stuff in the coming week. And a much wider range than Lidl had, too.

Alun, there was Nyjer seed in Woodies yesterday, but not knowing anything about it, didn't think anything of it having seen the Aldi catalogue with intentions to buy some different mixes of what they will have. They also had the specific type of feeder for it and it is indeed necessary. I'l see what the smallest pack is and maybe buy some and a feeder if the finches don't appear after Aldi's offerings.