Any keen bird feeders out there?

browneyedbazzi

Hi folks, hope you don't mind me resurrecting an old thread. I haven't put food out for birds before but now that I have a decent garden I'd like to start.

So far in the garden I have seen starlings, sparrows, goldfinch, robins and pigeons. I've been told that nyger seed is a favourite of the goldfinches so plan to get some of that. I've also received a peanut feeder as a house warming gift so will get some peanuts and put that out as well.

I really like song thrush, are they likely to make an appearance in a London suburb? If so, is there anything that I could put out that would attract them?

Any recommendations on where to buy nyger seed and peanuts?

diluvsdiscounts

I heard a cuckoo yesterday. I couldn't see it but I did hear it.

REEN

All the birds in my garden are scoffing suet pellets and meal worms and feeding their babies with them. Seeds are only taken at the moment when the other stuff has gone. Don't forget to put water out too.

Ken68

Wish I had colourful birds, all I get are sparrows, pigeons and CATS.
Have temporally suspended the bird table for a re-think.
The problem is dropped seed which attract the bigger birds for ground feeding and then in come the moggies.

browneyedbazzi

Reen wrote: »

All the birds in my garden are scoffing suet pellets and meal worms and feeding their babies with them. Seeds are only taken at the moment when the other stuff has gone. Don't forget to put water out too.

Thank you - I've ordered a feeding station that has a small bird bath attached as well as a tray for food and brackets to hang feeders on so I will have water available.

Where do you get suet pellets? What's a good price for them?

ljonski

Poundland do suet pellets

Gers

Sunflower hearts are still number one choice in my garden. Suet balls are next fav, I've now put the holder inside a large bushy tree where the ravens can't reach.

cyclonebri1

We had a batch of blue tits nest in the stone wall of my pond lasdt year, 92 from the ground but they all got away.
Remodelled the pond this year so old nesting site had to go.
Set a new nesting box in the other side of the build.
BT's nested but bumble bees moved in before the eggs were laid.
We now have a nest/garden full of about 90 ravenous bbees.

(not a bad deal to be honest):D:D

REEN

I compared notes with a friend, she lives in a village in the midlands, I live in a town in the north. We both find that the birds ignore ours but eat the neighbours' peanuts. Goldfinches fly over my nyger feeder to get to next door but one's. No idea why. Maybe try out a selection of food before you bulk buy.

mrsscattercushion

Have never had any success with nyger seed ~ pure sunflower hearts have generally been the best thing.


My birds are eating more now than during the winter ~ seed feeders need topping up daily and either fat balls or suet pellets being hovered up too. Chopped up apple, left over grapes and sultanas also a hit with the blackbirds ~ did have a song thrush in the garden over winter but now back out in the fields.


PS, living near to the grouse moors on border of South Yorks/Derbyshire, I would love to say that raptors, including buzzards were plentiful. Sadly not and definitely still persecuted to too high a number for the "threat" they supposedly cause...