Fatballs, reasonably firm porridge mixed with mealworms, sliced apples, bacon rinds, suet nut and mealworm stuffed into log cracks and shallow drilled holes, all go to a veritable smorgasbord for the feathered fiends oop t'lotty. I also leave a few smashed fatballs on the lawn area, for the ground feeders, like dunnocks, blackies and suchlike.
Funnily enough, this year, the tits have been making a remarkable comeback. Fighting for feeding rights on the picnic table and around the shed door, where we sit and watch them all come in for the scoff. Clean drinking water is looked after too. We've had a travelling group of long tailed tits visit for a day, and some coal tits today.(Thursday)
I noticed in the summer that the birds locally seemed to be doing very well rearing young, I'm sure the numbers are up this year.
Mine scoff peanuts like there is no tomorrow, I wonder if a particular food is ignored that they perhaps have another local supply? It's mixed seed that is always slow to go at my feeders.
In my new house with its woodland garden I have over 20 bird feeders of differing types over 4 different positioned bird feeding stations. All of the feeders are emptied in approx. 2 days!!! It is costing me a fortune but giving me a huge amount of pleasure! I have moved from the centre of town where sparrows, starlings, blackbirds and wood pigeons were the norm to now having all tit varieties, finches, jays, spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, collared doves, blackbirds and lots of robins who constantly fight over the 'prime' locations lol!!. I have taken to going to B&M Bargains and Home Bargains for the nuts and seed as they are massively cheaper than the local garden centre and they are eaten just as quick. I have also purchased some hanging 1/2 coconut fat hangers which have now been eaten. I have saved the 1/2 coconuts and now refill them using my own fat hangers with oats, bacon rind, mealworms, seedmix and peanuts to name but some. It does save a little money and keeps the kids amused. Does anyone know where is cheap to buy a bulk / large sack of peanuts as these are particularly expensive!!
Sounds like you'r enjoying the birdlife Hippyness, like you we have moved from the city to (out in the sticks) and see a larger varieties of our feathered friends. When in the City I use to fill up a stainless steel meat carver dish with drinking water, it was so large that the birds could have a bath if they wished.
Thanks oldgreenfingers - I am loving my new types of birds - I have a date with some more home-made coconut bird feeders this weekend and trying to get hold of a lot of bird food again !!!!
Sounds like you'r enjoying the birdlife Hippyness, like you we have moved from the city to (out in the sticks) and see a larger varieties of our feathered friends. When in the City I use to fill up a stainless steel meat carver dish with drinking water, it was so large that the birds could have a bath if they wished.
We buy peanuts (Aflatoxin tested) and sunflower hearts in bulk from GJW Titmuss, good value and free delivery for orders over £19. I am delighted to see that goldfinches love sunflower hearts, it means I can stop feeding so much nyger feed, and don't have to grieve over the absolute carpet of uneaten nyger seed which poured out of the nyger feeder while birds were eating. You have to choose your nyger feeder carefully, I have found, go for the small round holed variety instead of the slit one. Mind you, the carpet of uneaten food did bring a carpet of goldfinches, which was fine in dry weather, but now everything is sodden and I worry about rotten food lying there.
We buy peanuts (Aflatoxin tested) and sunflower hearts in bulk from GJW Titmuss, good value and free delivery for orders over £19. I am delighted to see that goldfinches love sunflower hearts, it means I can stop feeding so much nyger feed, and don't have to grieve over the absolute carpet of uneaten nyger seed which poured out of the nyger feeder while birds were eating. You have to choose your nyger feeder carefully, I have found, go for the small round holed variety instead of the slit one. Mind you, the carpet of uneaten food did bring a carpet of goldfinches, which was fine in dry weather, but now everything is sodden and I worry about rotten food lying there.
Oneofseven, Don't know if you are aware, GJW Titmuss now have a dedicated website for everything birding, you can find it at https://www.littlepeckers.co.uk. We are all still giggling at the name for the new website, but hey!
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Funnily enough, this year, the tits have been making a remarkable comeback. Fighting for feeding rights on the picnic table and around the shed door, where we sit and watch them all come in for the scoff. Clean drinking water is looked after too. We've had a travelling group of long tailed tits visit for a day, and some coal tits today.(Thursday)
I noticed in the summer that the birds locally seemed to be doing very well rearing young, I'm sure the numbers are up this year.
Mine scoff peanuts like there is no tomorrow, I wonder if a particular food is ignored that they perhaps have another local supply? It's mixed seed that is always slow to go at my feeders.
In my new house with its woodland garden I have over 20 bird feeders of differing types over 4 different positioned bird feeding stations. All of the feeders are emptied in approx. 2 days!!! It is costing me a fortune but giving me a huge amount of pleasure! I have moved from the centre of town where sparrows, starlings, blackbirds and wood pigeons were the norm to now having all tit varieties, finches, jays, spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, collared doves, blackbirds and lots of robins who constantly fight over the 'prime' locations lol!!
. I have taken to going to B&M Bargains and Home Bargains for the nuts and seed as they are massively cheaper than the local garden centre and they are eaten just as quick. I have also purchased some hanging 1/2 coconut fat hangers which have now been eaten. I have saved the 1/2 coconuts and now refill them using my own fat hangers with oats, bacon rind, mealworms, seedmix and peanuts to name but some. It does save a little money and keeps the kids amused. Does anyone know where is cheap to buy a bulk / large sack of peanuts as these are particularly expensive!!
Amazon have 25 kg sacks from several suppliers for about £30, works out a lot cheaper for me than picking them up at local garden centers.
Sounds like you'r enjoying the birdlife Hippyness, like you we have moved from the city to (out in the sticks) and see a larger varieties of our feathered friends. When in the City I use to fill up a stainless steel meat carver dish with drinking water, it was so large that the birds could have a bath if they wished.
Thanks Gemma JF - will certainly give amazon a go at that price!!
Thanks oldgreenfingers - I am loving my new types of birds - I have a date with some more home-made coconut bird feeders this weekend and trying to get hold of a lot of bird food again !!!!
We buy peanuts (Aflatoxin tested) and sunflower hearts in bulk from GJW Titmuss, good value and free delivery for orders over £19. I am delighted to see that goldfinches love sunflower hearts, it means I can stop feeding so much nyger feed, and don't have to grieve over the absolute carpet of uneaten nyger seed which poured out of the nyger feeder while birds were eating. You have to choose your nyger feeder carefully, I have found, go for the small round holed variety instead of the slit one. Mind you, the carpet of uneaten food did bring a carpet of goldfinches, which was fine in dry weather, but now everything is sodden and I worry about rotten food lying there.
Oneofseven, Don't know if you are aware, GJW Titmuss now have a dedicated website for everything birding, you can find it at https://www.littlepeckers.co.uk. We are all still giggling at the name for the new website, but hey!