The special squirrel-proof feeders can be expensive. I have come up with two alternatives both of which seem to work: 1. Two old hanging-basket frames wired together to make a sphere, with a seed-feeder hanging inside it. 2. A piece of that large plastic mesh you can buy for supporting climbing plants etc - bend a piece into a cylinder shape, about a foot in diameter, wire it together and hang the feeder inside it.
My thanks to everyone so far. Great ideas for allowing the "wee ones" a fair chance of a feed. I will certainly try to make up a "cage" to foil the "big guys". I had no idea my query would elicit all this !
I have put green plastic coated chicken wire all around the bird table,but what a faff to clean and refill,but it works,so it will have to stay till I think up something better.......like Fire!
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
The front of mine is 'hinged' and it just lifts up, and is fastened with a bit of wire. I fully intend to make it a bit more grand and properly finsihed, but I haven't got round to it yet! Like G.Magpie, I also did the hanging basket thing, but the starlings could still get in, or get their heads through and reach the food.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I tie my feeders to a thin branch that bends and throws off anything bigger than a small bird. Specially good for squirrels. My feeders are also thin with short roosts so the big birds can't bend themselves around it.
Just watched a wood pigeon creep his way down the branch. Got nearly to the end where the feeder is ... paused ... decided not to risk it!
I wish I was a glow worm A glow worm's never glum Cos how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum!
I’ll try the chicken wire idea, thanks. Having tried the thin branch idea with food blocks.... the big birds in the West of Scotland are clearly very determined!
I’ll try the chicken wire idea, thanks. Having tried the thin branch idea with food blocks.... the big birds in the West of Scotland are clearly very determined!
Aye - I believe the ones round Paisley are particularly determined when they're out on the lash on a Saturday night, Fish.....
Pigeons are really stupid Laura, aren't they?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My thanks to everyone so far. Great ideas for allowing the "wee ones" a fair chance of a feed. I will certainly try to make up a "cage" to foil the "big guys". I had no idea my query would elicit all this !
Was looking at this recently too. My advice is save yourself the hassle and fork out for a couple of these or similar-
I got 2 of them for £15 although they seem to be sold out a lot of places just now. They stop all the bigger birds and I've only ever seen one young starling get inside, no adults.
Never thought I'd have to deal with squirrels where I am either and tonight when I got home there was one in the garden, birds were going absolutely mental. I believe young squirrels will be able to get in these but this was an adult and didn't have a hope.
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1. Two old hanging-basket frames wired together to make a sphere, with a seed-feeder hanging inside it.
2. A piece of that large plastic mesh you can buy for supporting climbing plants etc - bend a piece into a cylinder shape, about a foot in diameter, wire it together and hang the feeder inside it.
Great ideas for allowing the "wee ones" a fair chance of a feed.
I will certainly try to make up a "cage" to foil the "big guys".
I had no idea my query would elicit all this !
Like G.Magpie, I also did the hanging basket thing, but the starlings could still get in, or get their heads through and reach the food.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
A glow worm's never glum
Cos how can you be grumpy
When the sun shines out your bum!
Pigeons are really stupid Laura, aren't they?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://www.selections.com/squirrel-guard-cage-for-bird-feeders-by-chapelwood.html
I got 2 of them for £15 although they seem to be sold out a lot of places just now. They stop all the bigger birds and I've only ever seen one young starling get inside, no adults.
Never thought I'd have to deal with squirrels where I am either and tonight when I got home there was one in the garden, birds were going absolutely mental. I believe young squirrels will be able to get in these but this was an adult and didn't have a hope.