Nice one @Blue Onion. Keeping an ice free water source is always tricky in long cold spells. I do something similar when the pond is frozen, although there was a determined blackbird yesterday poking his beak in right beside the rocks to get a drink. Should have put a sign up...
I recycle my tree in the garden, but I have an established conifer, and a pine, quite near the feeders. Perfect for the little birds to get shelter and safety, but unfortunately, it also means cats can access the garden from it. I spend a huge amount of time, and money, trying to keep them out.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Cut the fat block in half and put it in the squirrel proof feeder.
I have thought of that but the current set up deters squirrels, it's the parakeets that are the issue. I need something the small birds can get into, the woodpeckers can reach into but the parakeets can't. It's a tricky balance. I already have loads of different feeders bought over many years, it's getting a bit silly now.
We had been through all the feeders as well, now we have the baffles we can use any feeders, we have a cage on the ground for ground feeding birds where the starlings can’t get in. All working well now.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I thought I had my feeders sorted, two ground feeders with cages working well. one left open under a shrub for the larger birds ie magpies etc. Neighbour's hens have now found the uncovered one, grrr.
@Allotment Boy What about sticking some soft metal mesh just outside of the feeding porthole so that tits and woodpeckers can still eat but not the parakeets.
I was surprised to see them in Amsterdam, so it is only a question of time before they arrive here too. I stopped feeding ground birds because the garden would fill with town pigeons. It is difficult, they need to eat too.
Total bargain @Joyce Goldenlily! I use the cheapo ones for the feeder that's outside, because of the starlings, and they seem happy enough with them. I usually buy posher ones for the cages, although they've been so expensive this year, I didn't fork out. The seed mixes and sunflower hearts are so expensive that I'd rather spend on that.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I am crushing the balls to go in the trays on the feeding station because I have run out of seed and haven't got around to going to the GC on their "wrinklies day" for the discount. The cheap price for the box of 150 is something to do with zero VAT. being charged.
Interesting re the VAT @Joyce Goldenlily. I do that too - chop them up, and spread them under shrubs for the blackbirds and thrushes etc, although I usually use the blocks, as they tend to be easier. I haven't bought any of those yet, and when I was looking, they seemed to be in short supply.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Keeping an ice free water source is always tricky in long cold spells. I do something similar when the pond is frozen, although there was a determined blackbird yesterday poking his beak in right beside the rocks to get a drink. Should have put a sign up...
I recycle my tree in the garden, but I have an established conifer, and a pine, quite near the feeders. Perfect for the little birds to get shelter and safety, but unfortunately, it also means cats can access the garden from it. I spend a huge amount of time, and money, trying to keep them out.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
http://regentsparkbirds.blogspot.com/2018/12/squirrel-and-parakeet-proof-feeders.html
I was surprised to see them in Amsterdam, so it is only a question of time before they arrive here too. I stopped feeding ground birds because the garden would fill with town pigeons. It is difficult, they need to eat too.
Luxembourg
I use the cheapo ones for the feeder that's outside, because of the starlings, and they seem happy enough with them. I usually buy posher ones for the cages, although they've been so expensive this year, I didn't fork out. The seed mixes and sunflower hearts are so expensive that I'd rather spend on that.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I do that too - chop them up, and spread them under shrubs for the blackbirds and thrushes etc, although I usually use the blocks, as they tend to be easier. I haven't bought any of those yet, and when I was looking, they seemed to be in short supply.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...