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Wild Bird feeding forum?

  • 29-10-2014 10:41pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1


    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.


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Comments

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




  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1



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


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,725 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Ok , Thanks mods, got here eventually.

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

    If not join in here please.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,067 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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  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1




  • Registered Users Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    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. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1


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


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,067 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...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ Mack Clean Wall


    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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  • Registered Users Posts: 18,069 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    are sultanas and raisins good for birds?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ Mack Clean Wall


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

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


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭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!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ Mack Clean Wall


    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1


    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ Mack Clean Wall


    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.


  • 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


  • Registered Users Posts: 944 ✭✭✭swifts need our help!


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


  • Registered Users 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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  • 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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 961 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭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


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭Mech1


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users 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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ Mack Clean Wall


    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.


  • 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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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 47,997 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


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


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