leave them in place in Autumn Jess. They go crazy for the seeds even though stems are thin and wiry, it's very funny to watch them bend and sway. VB can be bought cheaply or even grown from seed. I pricked out almost 50 self seeders last year and potted them into 7cm pots.
Just been into Poundland for the first time, looking for cheap bird seed for the squirrels - if that's not a contradiction! I thought I'd put up a feeder just for the squirrel in the hope he'll leave the others alone but fat chance so far.
What I meant to say is that Poundland had bags of different bird seed and fat balls etc for £1 each and I've been paying £2.99 per bag. Not sure if it's good enough quality though but worth trying I thought.
Back in early January I had a flock of goldfinches here in my urban garden in the NE The fed on the sunflower hearts. So of course off I went and bought Niger seed. Then didn't see a one for over two weeks they did revisit last week but seemed as happy on the sunflower hearts. When the Niger is finished, should I saw if! I won't buy more. I don't buy mixed seed anymore the smaller birds didn't eat a lot of it but it really attracted the pigeons and magpies which I don't want to encourage particularly
Goldfinches are regulars at my feeders but the most pleasure I get from them is when the Spotted woodpecker is there with them. Such a contrast in size. He's usually on the coconut halves, they're on the sunflower hearts alongside along with various tits and chaffinches and the robin. The blackbirds, doves and thrushes get a look in as well though not on the ground, not safe here with so many cats belonging to neighbours. I have rigged up a 'platform' in the lilac tree immediately adjacent to the feeders and fixed a removable dish on it along with an old frying pan for a water bowl. The food dish is a microwave plate cover and fastened with a plant tie through the holes to the rigid mesh platform.
I'll post a photo in the morning but I can't get near enough to photograph the birds
Brilliant photo One! I'll try and get a shot of my little visitors too.
bit about buying Nyger seed and the goldfinches promptly abandoning ship made me laugh so much I nearly dropped my tea
My husband has been teasing me all evening, saying I'm just a Greek mamma, wanting to feed the world and even extending it to buying specialist seed, cheeky sod.
i think that after reading all your comments, I shall stick with my Gardman sunflower hearts. Whoever said the finches know a good thing when they see one, was right!
Also trye that husk less seeds like the ones I'm using, are really less messy and attract fewer unwanted guests too.
i know they ain't cheap (pardon the pun), but these little beauties, all of them, are a bit like pets to me now
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leave them in place in Autumn Jess. They go crazy for the seeds even though stems are thin and wiry, it's very funny to watch them bend and sway. VB can be bought cheaply or even grown from seed. I pricked out almost 50 self seeders last year and potted them into 7cm pots.
Just been into Poundland for the first time, looking for cheap bird seed for the squirrels - if that's not a contradiction! I thought I'd put up a feeder just for the squirrel in the hope he'll leave the others alone but fat chance so far.
What I meant to say is that Poundland had bags of different bird seed and fat balls etc for £1 each and I've been paying £2.99 per bag. Not sure if it's good enough quality though but worth trying I thought.
got to be "worth a punt" Lizzie, let us know what the birds think
I had Goldfinches feeding during the summer, but they have gone, I've not seen one for months, hoping they return as they are a delight to see.
February last year: Here's a 'charm' of goldfinches! I was so pleased to get the photo and the proof.
Excellent photo Oneofseven!
WOW. I have " goldfinch envy"
Goldfinches are regulars at my feeders but the most pleasure I get from them is when the Spotted woodpecker is there with them. Such a contrast in size. He's usually on the coconut halves, they're on the sunflower hearts alongside along with various tits and chaffinches and the robin. The blackbirds, doves and thrushes get a look in as well though not on the ground, not safe here with so many cats belonging to neighbours. I have rigged up a 'platform' in the lilac tree immediately adjacent to the feeders and fixed a removable dish on it along with an old frying pan for a water bowl. The food dish is a microwave plate cover and fastened with a plant tie through the holes to the rigid mesh platform.
I'll post a photo in the morning but I can't get near enough to photograph the birds
Brilliant photo One! I'll try and get a shot of my little visitors too.
bit about buying Nyger seed and the goldfinches promptly abandoning ship made me laugh so much I nearly dropped my tea
My husband has been teasing me all evening, saying I'm just a Greek mamma, wanting to feed the world and even extending it to buying specialist seed, cheeky sod.
i think that after reading all your comments, I shall stick with my Gardman sunflower hearts. Whoever said the finches know a good thing when they see one, was right!
Also trye that husk less seeds like the ones I'm using, are really less messy and attract fewer unwanted guests too.
i know they ain't cheap (pardon the pun), but these little beauties, all of them, are a bit like pets to me now