I think I described the sunflower hearts that we use wrongly. What I meant was the great tits bang the sunfl seed on the metal before eating it, whereas the goldfinches just eat the sunfl seed whole. It is almost as if the great tits need to knock the seed into shape before eating it. We don't buy sunfl. seed with husks either - tried it once but could see that the birds were wasting energy getting the seed out of the husk.
The skewers work really well, Fran. It stops them just being rolled around the ground, they're fine enough to get into any kind of ground [apart from when it's frozen solid!] and they go through the apples without having to core them too. It's ground feeders who eat them so it's ideal.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl, when I first saw your picture I thought it was a little ornament, a mouse in a red boat with a yellow sail.
Shoulda gone to Specsavers Lyn I see what you mean though. I break up those blocks too, and I also snip them up into little pieces and chuck them under shrubs in borders for all the little birds to get in at. The blackies go in as well and get them. I stick the little tables over the ground feeder just to keep the worst of the weather off when it's really wet/snowy etc. Helps to keep it drier.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I always buy Husk free or mess free bird food and have never noticed a mess under the feeder, although that could be down to squirrels and pigeons maybe...
Never used nyger seed found sunflower hearts attracted goldfinches and the tits, very well, plus robins who have to fly from the berberis bush alongside to get onto the feeders, blackbirds etc feed from the droppings on the paved area, plus mixed seed try, to ensure the area is fairly clear of seed each evening, the paved area is a good feature.
No sunflower hearts here so they just get the standard wild bird mix which has whole black sunflower seeds in. They seem to like it.
I did buy some dry meal worms but they left them. However, when I find blocks with them in they're always more popular than the ones with fruits. Fat and seed balls get eaten in winter but they ignore them in summer.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I remember spotting a red bellied cardinal in my yard. It stopped for a moment, looked around, sniffed some of the seeds in my three different bird feeders then it reluctantly flew away. I went to the backyard as quickly as the bird left to investigate why.There’s thistle and suet cake and one with sunflower seeds but the poor but possibly picky bird decided to ignore it. I took the sunflower seeds down, smelled it and I found nothing wrong with it aside from the possibly smaller-sized seeds. I suspect it is the quality of the bird seed brand.
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I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We keep our ground trays out in the open so we can see if anything of the long tail variety of animal 🐀 come visiting.
The suet blocks, I break in half and put in a squirrel proof fat ball feeder.
Shoulda gone to Specsavers Lyn
I see what you mean though.
I break up those blocks too, and I also snip them up into little pieces and chuck them under shrubs in borders for all the little birds to get in at. The blackies go in as well and get them.
I stick the little tables over the ground feeder just to keep the worst of the weather off when it's really wet/snowy etc. Helps to keep it drier.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
http://www.itsapetthing.co.uk/oc/willsbridge-no-grow-wild-bird-food-with-vitamins-and-minerals-15kg.html
It contains kibbled peanuts, sunflower hearts, pinhead oatmeal, kibbled maize, cut peas, cod liver oil and a vitamin & mineral blend.
No waste and if it does spill, it won't sprout as it is all kibbled down.
It's very popular with our feathered friends anyway!
Your choice of course, if you can afford it that’s ok.
I did buy some dry meal worms but they left them. However, when I find blocks with them in they're always more popular than the ones with fruits. Fat and seed balls get eaten in winter but they ignore them in summer.
I remember spotting a red bellied cardinal in my yard. It stopped for a moment, looked around, sniffed some of the seeds in my three different bird feeders then it reluctantly flew away. I went to the backyard as quickly as the bird left to investigate why.There’s thistle and suet cake and one with sunflower seeds but the poor but possibly picky bird decided to ignore it. I took the sunflower seeds down, smelled it and I found nothing wrong with it aside from the possibly smaller-sized seeds. I suspect it is the quality of the bird seed brand.