Cheapest way to get a bird table?

rosie383

Where is B and M? I've never heard of it.

ailuro2

tbh we no longer put food out for the birds except in the coldest depths of winter... we have a cat, and encouraging birds to come into our garden by putting out food for them wouldn't really be very good for the poor birds once the cat got them!

westiea

May i add to this thread?

If anyone have any ideas on how to stop the squirrels eating everything (without resorting to the extortionate prices for squirrel proof feeders!) I would be eternally grateful.

One suggestion I received was barbed wire around the base of the feeder! :eek:

ailuro2

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-Flexi-Perch-Squirrel-proof-birdfe/

there's plenty of ideas on Google if you are any good at DIY / or previously presented Blue Peter.;)

rosie383

Has anyone tried one of these metal pole-type bird feeders?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARDEN-BIRD-FEEDING-FEEDER-STATION-WATER-FEED-TABLE-NEW-/290482185141?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Bird_Bath_Feeder_CV&hash=item43a21663b5

I don't know which would be better, or nicer to look at. One of those or the more traditional type with a wee house on top?

TravellingAbuela

Yes I have one of the metal pole feeding stations. Previously I had a wooden bird table (with roof). I much prefer the metal one with different seeds, nuts & fat balls hanging from it, and also the dish for water is useful. We seem to get a far more varied selection of birds now too. I get so much pleasure from just watching them.

Becles

rosie383 wrote: »

Has anyone tried one of these metal pole-type bird feeders?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARDEN-BIRD-FEEDING-FEEDER-STATION-WATER-FEED-TABLE-NEW-/290482185141?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Bird_Bath_Feeder_CV&hash=item43a21663b5

I don't know which would be better, or nicer to look at. One of those or the more traditional type with a wee house on top?

I read the reviews on Amazon which were mixed. Some said they blew over easily in windy gardens which is what I was worried about. Also the hanging seed and nut feeders are not included so you'll have to budget for buying those too.

emiff6

ailuro2 wrote: »

tbh we no longer put food out for the birds except in the coldest depths of winter... we have a cat, and encouraging birds to come into our garden by putting out food for them wouldn't really be very good for the poor birds once the cat got them!

I am catless at present, but have always had cats, and always fed the birds all year round. The birds soon wise up to the presence of a cat, and carefully scrutinise the garden before coming to the feeders.

When the cat was in the garden, the birds created a fuss, particularly the robin and bluetits, until the cat came out of its hiding place (as she thought) and either sat in full view or came indoors, trying to effect a casual air of studied indifference to the birds.

I think in the last 10 years only 2 birds were killed by my cats in my garden - to put that in proportion, millions of small birds died in the cold last winter, because they didn't have the body fat and food reserves to survive the cold nights. So I would encourage everyone to feed the birds now, so they are in good condition to face the coming winter.

rosie383

Thank you for that. That does make sense. I am going to order my feeder today, and i think I will probably go for one of the metal pole ones.

jenie_2

Hi all, don't know if this will help anyone, but I love mine. My daughter-in-law bought a hanging basket stand from Home Bargains for under £20, it came with 4 hanging baskets and liners which hang at different heights on the stand. She used the hanging baskets on the walls around her house and hung different types of bird feeders on the stand instead. I admired it so much that she bought me one this August as a house warming present, and I've done the same with mine.
We are getting lots of Great Tits and Blue Tits who adore the sunflower seeds and fat balls, I've also got wild bird seed in a feeder and a peanut fat slab. We get a gang of Sparrows several times a day who just love the fat balls, and I'm replacing them regularly. Its great to sit with a cuppa and watch them all from the window.
The fat balls and seed can be bought very cheaply from Home Bargains and Poundland, as can the containers.
PS, the stand is metal and has hooks to hold the food containers, and hooks to hold the stand in the ground.