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Affordable (squirrel and big bird proof) bird feeders... Any recommendations?

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    This is from January [just for you @January Man ] - as you can see, it's squirrel proof.... ;)


    The one on the right has a green roof, which is gradually filling up. Might do one for the one on the left. Helps keep the food drier too. There's a door at each end for accessing, and removing the bases for cleaning.
    Various perches for them to wait if it's busy inside. The mesh is from the shelves from one of those plastic growhouses which don't last long. It's a perfect size. I have bullfinches going straight into it, and that's about the biggest size of bird that can get in. All the small birds use it no problem. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Kathy 2Kathy 2 Posts: 122
    My daughter and I use cheap hanging baskets clipped together in a ball round the feeder.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I tried that @Kathy 2. Squirrels still got in, so did starlings, and the bigger birds could reach the feeders with their heads through the holes  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Kathy 2Kathy 2 Posts: 122
    We don't have squirrels to contend with - how do they get in? I do make sure the "Balls" are not near anything that the pigeons can perch on - it's fun watching them trying to work out how to get at the seeds.  ;);)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Squirrels can get through quite small spaces, and the holes which are a bit more elongated were easy for them. Same with starlings.  :)
    Magpies will cling on to almost anything to get at food. They just clung onto the baskets and got their heads through. 

    The 'tame' pigeon I have here also perches on the cages and sticks his head through to try and get the stuff the other birds drop, if I've been a bit tardy with his brakfast  :D


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    Not cheap but anti squirrel. I have several poles with Apollo feeders because they're easy to fill/empty/clean with domes underneath. As long as they're far enough away from a tree or shrub so the squirrels can't jump. Woodpeckers still come and a few large birds though they have to flap so much they get discouraged. Squirrels, blackbirds and other ground feeders clear up underneath.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • you can use squirrel baffles that attach to the base or top of a feeder pole so squirrels cannot continue climbing
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