Not if you use the better quality food. There's very little in it which sprouts, and it's easliy pulled out if if does.
I'd agree with the others GD. The holes look very tight for sunflower hearts. Have you tried just putting a small amount in it? You could always make a small perch for them too - a length of plastic coated wire, twisted and pushed through would be enough. That might make it more appealing initially.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You could always make a small perch for them too - a length of plastic coated wire, twisted and pushed through would be enough. That might make it more appealing initially.
A bamboo skewer would also work as a perch I think?
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
Thanks for all your helpful advice and we have now fitted a metal perch (same as normal bird feeder perches - it was from an old feeder), and await the rush for food - I expect that to take a few days or a week or so. @BirminghamMarc1972 I am not too worried about the seed dropping - if it does, as the feeder is hanging over a field border and there are already plenty of weeds growing along that edge. I do find that most seed that drops dies off in a short time anyway.
Birds are starting to moult soon, so you won't see them on feeders for a while. There will be a quiet period and then they'll come back again (hopefully).
Update on our new bird feeder. We tried it in two separate places firstly with sunflower hearts - and then with mixed bird seed which tends to be smaller in size. The a couple of birds came to inspect the feeder (with perches added) but they soon flew off again. So now the unusable feeder is in the shed and we were able to replace it with a style that we know they like and is proving to be a success. Here it is.
They need a bird feeder in a space they are familiar with. While it is possible for them to wander around while looking for bird food, they will be loyal once they find a favorite – hopefully, that’s your backyard.
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I'd agree with the others GD. The holes look very tight for sunflower hearts. Have you tried just putting a small amount in it?
You could always make a small perch for them too - a length of plastic coated wire, twisted and pushed through would be enough. That might make it more appealing initially.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...