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Wild Bird feeding forum?

  • 29-10-2014 11:41pm
    #1
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭


    Well is there one? I cant find it if there is.

    Maybe we could just use this thread?

    Anyway I have my feeders out since yesterday, only Magpies sofar.


«13

Comments

  • #2
    Gran Hermano
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Nature & Bird watching forum
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=406


  • #3
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Gran Hermano wrote: »
    Nature & Bird watching forum
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=406

    Can you move this starter post there? please?
    its just that I cant find a specific thread even over there.
    Thanks.


  • #4
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,772 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Moving to Nature and Birdwatching. Please be aware the different charter applies from hereon in.


  • #5
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Ok , Thanks mods, got here eventually.

    Is there a general "wild bird feeding" thread already?

    If not join in here please.


  • #6
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,069 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    We might have a garden birds one from last winter, but no harm in discussing stuff here!

    I've noticed more birds (both species and number) in my garden over the last week - still feeding on the sunflowers and berries in the garden, but I'm going to avail of the birdfood on sale in Aldi tomorrow and stock up for the winter and put a few feeders out!


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  • #7
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    That feeder station looks like great value!
    https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thursday-30-october/products-detail-page/ps/p/complete-bird-feeding-station/


  • #8
    whyulittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    OpenYourEyes wrote: »
    I've noticed more birds (both species and number) in my garden over the last week - still feeding on the sunflowers and berries in the garden, but I'm going to avail of the birdfood on sale in Aldi tomorrow and stock up for the winter and put a few feeders out!

    Just noticed, they have a Swallow coming in to feed on the peanut feeder. :)


  • #9
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Anyone got a good Dublin supplier of beef dripping, better known in online forums as suet I think.


  • #10
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,069 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    whyulittle wrote: »
    Just noticed, they have a Swallow coming in to feed on the peanut feeder. :)

    I saw that too! :D I won't be holding my breath for one...


  • #11
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Mech1 wrote: »
    Anyone got a good Dublin supplier of beef dripping, better known in online forums as suet I think.

    :confused: Any Butchers shop will have dripping for free. Suet is the proper name for it.


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  • #12
    fryup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    are sultanas and raisins good for birds?


  • #13
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    fryup wrote: »
    are sultanas and raisins good for birds?

    Absolutely. Mix them with your seed mix and add porridge oats as well.


  • #14
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Any tips on getting the magpies / starlings to back off?

    not this year yet for the starlings but 9 magpies in my garden every morning, its not a big garden!


  • #15
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    I found I was swamped many years back by rooks magpies and starlings but I watched to see what they were feeding on and found when I limited larger ground food their numbers decreased.


  • #16
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Mack Clean Wall wrote: »
    I found I was swamped many years back by rooks magpies and starlings but I watched to see what they were feeding on and found when I limited larger ground food their numbers decreased.


    Im finding that the beef dripping cakes im making with grated cheese are the biggest attraction for the magpies, but i dont want to cut that source of fat off to any smaller guys that may arrive come the colder weather.


  • #17
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    anyone bought the "bird feeding station" in aldi?

    any comments on quality?

    My sis in law has picked one up for me but i wont see it till the weekend.


  • #18
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Mech1 wrote: »
    Im finding that the beef dripping cakes im making with grated cheese are the biggest attraction for the magpies, but i dont want to cut that source of fat off to any smaller guys that may arrive come the colder weather.

    I have said it so often here: but birds only need fats in very severe weather. Stop all fats now and the magpies may stop coming after some days. Only put the fats out when we have consistent sub zero temperatures.


  • #19
    Hondo75
    Registered Users Posts: 317 ✭✭Hondo75


    I heard by putting the feeder out late in the evening for early morning and taking in before midday, avoids magpies and starlings over running the place.

    This can also be done by only 1/4 filling feeder.

    Tried this with my dads feeder and seems to be working


  • #20
    swifts need our help!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 944 ✭✭✭swifts need our help!


    loose seed that falls is likely to attract bigger birds like street picker pigeons and the row family


  • #21
    swifts need our help!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 944 ✭✭✭swifts need our help!


    Mech1 wrote: »
    Anyway I have my feeders out since yesterday, only Magpies sofar.

    It can take a while for birds to realise/notice you have food out. What are you feeding and what kind of feeder?


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  • #22
    Gran Hermano
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    I've had my best results over last fee years using nijer seed and sunflower hearts.
    Fat balls will attract starlings and crows/magpies. Using a squirrel proof feeder (feeder inside a larger open wire mesh) can help keep the larger birds off them.

    The base aldi sell does the job, you can always add additional and seed specific feeders from elsewhere.


  • #23
    glaswegian
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭glaswegian


    is there any reason not to feed the bigger birds? i always have a gang of pigeons patiently waiting for the smaller birds to pick out the seeds they want from the feeder,the pigeons then clean up whats been discarded. also like to watch the jackdaws flying up and "kicking" the feeders so the seed falls onto the ground.


  • #24
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    glaswegian wrote: »
    is there any reason not to feed the bigger birds? i always have a gang of pigeons patiently waiting for the smaller birds to pick out the seeds they want from the feeder,the pigeons then clean up whats been discarded. also like to watch the jackdaws flying up and "kicking" the feeders so the seed falls onto the ground.


    I would love to have a bigger garden in order to feed all comers.

    Unfortunatly i dont and the worry is me attracting loads of Magpies / jackdaws / starlings and the accompaning noise / waste droppings on my neighbours right to a peaceful and clean back garden.

    forgive the spelling, in a rush, not checking


  • #25
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Dont forget to dry out the feeders and put out fresh stuff, this rain will have soaked everything to the core.


  • #26
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Is it cold enough now to put out the fats?

    Magpies have left me alone since i removed them, but I have a cage feeder sorted now.


  • #27
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Pics to follow at the weekend, but its a rabbit run hung on the fence with feeders inside, if you can picture that in your head.


  • #28
    TopTec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,167 ✭✭✭TopTec


    My fat balls have been out for a couple of weeks now and the home made ones are not lasting long. Like you I have been plagued by Magpies but I have reduced the volume and fed the table a few times a day and that seems to have done the trick....

    TT


  • #29
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Another tip to deter larger birds is to attach the feeders by strong elastic bands. They don't like how the feeder moves when they try to alight on them.


  • #30
    Gran Hermano
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Best results again this year with nijer and sunflower hearts. Flocks of tits and finches. Plenty of goldfinches last few days. Amusing watching the starlings nearly strangling themselves trying to get at the fat balls which are in a squirrel proof feeder which also keeps out the bigger birds.

    Set of feeders like these keep away crows, magpies and starlings
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Squirrel-Proof-Feeders--Peanut/dp/B00H0KJUIQ/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1418308772&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=squirrel+proof+feeder


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  • #31
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,182 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    we started putting out fat balls again when the frost returned. and the fox started taking the feeder again.


  • #32
    fryup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    anyone seen any fieldfare or redwings yet??


  • #33
    TopTec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,167 ✭✭✭TopTec


    Yep. Several smaller groups of Fieldfare's here in North Mayo, sometimes accompanied with starlings.

    TT


  • #34
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    We usually have large flocks of fieldfare and redwing from the first week in November but none so far this winter.


  • #35
    vistafinder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭vistafinder


    fryup wrote: »
    anyone seen any fieldfare or redwings yet??

    I have seen Redwings for about the last week while walking the dog. About 5 or 6. West Cork!


  • #36
    BoonDockMoo
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭BoonDockMoo


    Was going to get that Aldi bird feeding station but ending up getting the one in Heatons instead. It's shorter but still tall enough.

    Only had a small bird feeding table in front garden and one fat ball feeder in the trees at the back of house for the last year, but this bird feeding station has got the whole household interested in birds. We are able to watch them from the couch, very entertaining. I'm feeding peanuts, suet cakes, fat balls and seeds on it so there are lots arriving for their all day buffet!

    Bought our first bird book "The Birds of Ireland-A Field Guide" by Jim Wilson (will be the household Christmas present from Santa! It's pretty cool with between 8 and 15 photos of each bird type from different angles. Haven't a clue about birds really but loving the activity in the garden....plus I feel I'm re-paying the birds for the few possible relatives/ancestors the outside cat has killed over the years.

    I wouldn't mind getting another feeding station but maybe that would cause more rows between the birds? They had quite a few scuffles for the first while but seem to all be getting on or tolerating each other a bit more now. I haven't a clue though!


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  • #37
    Gran Hermano
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    It gets addictive seeing how you can attract different birds with different food combinations. Often has us running for that field guide. Wait til you're adding a go pro to the bird table and binoculars to the coffee table.


  • #38
    gzoladz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭gzoladz


    Gran Hermano wrote: »
    It gets addictive seeing how you can attract different birds with different food combinations. Often has us running for that field guide. Wait til you're adding a go pro to the bird table and binoculars to the coffee table.

    Tell me about it... I started with a few feeders in the 2010 freeze and now I go birding nearly every weekend, have 5 or 6 birding books, binoc always ready and this year I ended up getting a scope :)


  • #39
    BoonDockMoo
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭BoonDockMoo


    Ha! Funny you should say that, I had already started reading a thread about binoculars after posting in this one. That might be a birthday present for someone in the house next :D


  • #40
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    gzoladz wrote: »
    Tell me about it... I started with a few feeders in the 2010 freeze and now I go birding nearly every weekend, have 5 or 6 birding books, binoc always ready and this year I ended up getting a scope :)

    You'd want to be careful. That's how I started. Fed and watched garden birds 60 years ago and birds went on to be a lifelong obsession. I was never a twitcher but spent every available hour birding. Then the other wildlife like mammals, insects, flowers etc creep in they become a fascination.
    I still get my greatest satisfaction from the "common" garden birds though.


  • #41
    vistafinder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭vistafinder


    The Goldfinches and Robins have been doing some singing around the garden with the last few days. The Wren made a few attempts too. Great to hear it.


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  • #42
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Lots of birds visiting this morning, they must be freezin !


  • #43
    TopTec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,167 ✭✭✭TopTec


    Don't forget to put out some water for them....

    TT


  • #44
    boomerang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    Trying to find a crow-proof way to feed the robins and other ground feeders... Latest experiment is a large wire hanging basket, upside down on the ground and secured with tent pegs. Nice suet block waiting for them if they go in. :) I see the robins hovering around the hanging feeders so I feel bad for them.

    I'm only feeding the birds for the first time this winter but I'm amazed at the variety of birds I've seen. They are all common species but me it's been a revelation seeing birds I never knew we had close-by, like goldfinches and greenfinches. We have a ton of house sparrows. I actually love them.


  • #45
    fryup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    male blackcap doing his bully boy routine around our feeding table


  • #46
    SeaFields
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,551 ✭✭✭SeaFields


    I have a jay coming to the feeder for the last two weeks. I wonder how common they are in and around garden feeders? I've never seen one before in the garden.


  • #47
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    SeaFields wrote: »
    I have a jay coming to the feeder for the last two weeks. I wonder how common they are in and around garden feeders? I've never seen one before in the garden.

    They are quite uncommon at garden feeders! That is a great one to have.


  • #48
    SeaFields
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,551 ✭✭✭SeaFields


    Mack Clean Wall wrote: »
    They are quite uncommon at garden feeders! That is a great one to have.

    Would it be the reason why the numbers of the other main garden species have dropped considerably since?

    I don't know how often it is there. Every now and again when I walk past the window he flies off. I can hear it the odd time too. I assume it is there more than I notice.


  • #49
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    SeaFields wrote: »
    Would it be the reason why the numbers of the other main garden species have dropped considerably since?

    I don't know how often it is there. Every now and again when I walk past the window he flies off. I can hear it the odd time too. I assume it is there more than I notice.

    It shouldn't at this time of year; no more than a magpie or jackdaw would disturb other birds.


  • #50
    gzoladz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭gzoladz


    They are quite shy. The only one I have ever seen was in Cabinteely a few weeks ago, I was organizing my gear and there it landed to feed a few meters away of me. I was unprepared so shoot my camera immediately and the result was poor but by the time I was ready to take a proper photo it was gone.

    Beautiful colours!


  • #51
    splish
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 538 ✭✭✭splish


    A friend of mine has had a few visits from this Jay in the garden over the last few weeks.


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