Guess!

[Pops]

Yup ... dickie birds


.

[Ian]

Re: Guess!

Super action shots!

I have been a complete failure in enticing wild birds to feed regularly in my back garden. But I'm investing in a commercial bird feeding station (the metal pole type with curved 'boughs' for hanging feeders off, complete with bird bath and feeding tray.

Actually the local sparrows have been enjoying our new rescue hens (ex battery hens) as there are plenty of feed spillages for them to feast on)!

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Guess!

The station should work well for you Ian.
There are a whole lot of youngsters around at this time and the mums are still dashing around collecting food for them. Make sure at least one of your hangers is used for fatballs and one for nuts. A mixed seed in the other 2 will be fine.
Sparrows will visit on a regualr basis now you have set up with hens and the Chaffinch won't be far behind.

[Ian]

Re: Guess!

The station should work well for you Ian.
There are a whole lot of youngsters around at this time and the mums are still dashing around collecting food for them. Make sure at least one of your hangers is used for fatballs and one for nuts. A mixed seed in the other 2 will be fine.
Sparrows will visit on a regualr basis now you have set up with hens and the Chaffinch won't be far behind.

https://www.webbsdirect.co.uk/product.asp?user=paraadministrator&pf_id=338147

And here it is - sorry about the flat light first thing this morning!



Quite by chance I discovered that I had the exact ingredients that you recommended (peanuts, mixed seed, and fat balls).

A couple of (grey?) tits have already visited this morning

The local wood pigeons have already been exploring what falls to the ground - though they mainly visit to mop up chicken feed spillages

The hens are going well - ten eggs in the last three days

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Guess!

https://www.webbsdirect.co.uk/product.asp?user=paraadministrator&pf_id=338147

And here it is - sorry about the flat light first thing this morning!



Quite by chance I discovered that I had the exact ingredients that you recommended (peanuts, mixed seed, and fat balls).

A couple of (grey?) tits have already visited this morning

The local wood pigeons have already been exploring what falls to the ground - though they mainly visit to mop up chicken feed spillages

The hens are going well - ten eggs in the last three days

Ian

I have got the same one close to the shed.
One word of caution with this one though....if you get high winds there is a good chance that it will fall over. I place a couple of bricks on the base during high winds.

[Stephen]

Re: Guess!

Wonder if the cat will frighten off many bird visitors?

[Ian]

Re: Guess!

Wonder if the cat will frighten off many bird visitors?

Pops did say that birds aren't unduly put off by cats and in any case our two (that's Jemima in the picture - who is 14 years old and more interested in lying upside down, legs in the air, on the grass under the sun!) are pretty docile.

This morning I've seen some tits on the feeder and a wood pigieon decided to perch on the seed tray for breakfast as well!

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Guess!

I have got the same one close to the shed.
One word of caution with this one though....if you get high winds there is a good chance that it will fall over. I place a couple of bricks on the base during high winds.

Yes, good advice that I have seen commented elsewhere. It's not going to stay where it is and I may yet use the spiked end to drive it into the ground, although that loses well over a foot in height. The base being used at the moment is for our patio parasol.

Ian

[Pol]

http://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/acatalog/accessories.html

Also look at 'Citrosan' and 'Ark Lens', along with the brushes and scrapes
for keeping the trays and feeders clean and hygenic.

Droll Yankee peanut feeders (go for the green ones )

http://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/acatalog/feeders.html

Compact ground feeder (black mesh tray)

http://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/acatalog/Ground_Feeding.html

Safe and popular with all the birds, including the very young ones

http://www.soarmillseeds.co.uk/SMS01/itemdesc~ic~G1240~eq~~Tp~.htm

Fat Ball and Suet Cake feeder ... 2-3 of of these are ideal

http://www.soarmillseeds.co.uk/SMS01/itemdesc~ic~G1112~eq~~Tp~.htm

Pol

[Ian]

Re: Guess!

Thanks Pol, points noted!

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Guess!

Excellent stuff Pol.
I buy my feed from food4wildbirds.co.uk and get free delivery within 48 hours of ordering.
I don't know how their prices compare to your outlets but I shall be taking a look later.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Guess!

I always look at Pops threads and have tried many of his suggestions for getting birds into my garden. All we ever get is dozens of sparrows... They really have done well this year raising at least 2 chicks each and severall have 3 or 4.

They empty the feeders at an incredible rate, scoffing just about everything that is put out.

Still interesting to watch even if they are not as many and varied as Pops gets.

[Pol]

Re: Guess!

I always look at Pops threads and have tried many of his suggestions for getting birds into my garden. All we ever get is dozens of sparrows... They really have done well this year raising at least 2 chicks each and severall have 3 or 4.

They empty the feeders at an incredible rate, scoffing just about everything that is put out.

Still interesting to watch even if they are not as many and varied as Pops gets. :

We also have fairly wild variations in the bird numbers and species visiting our garden and feeders. This year has been horrendous with huge flock(s) of Starlings - the noise has been incredible as they like to mass in an Oak immediately over the edge of our bottom fence. I've been chasing them away with football 'clacker' rattles otherwise they were taking everything and chasing other species away aggressively.

We had niger seeds hanging for month after month before we eventually got Siskins and Redpoll but they've been scarce this year. We're mainly getting the usual Sparrows, Dunnocks, Blue, Great, Coal and longtail tits. A few Collared Dove, Blackbirds and Thrush. Not so many Chaffinch and Greenfinch this year either.

We've been (still are) deeply engrossed in felling trees and shrubs, laying new paths, remodelling the garden etc. so I suppose that might explain why we've been having fewer visitors.

We spend a lot more time watching rather than photographing them because they are indeed great fun to watch. Each has its own personality and it's amazing how quickly you get to know them.

Our Sparrows are all descended from 'Arthur' and the squirrels are all descended from 'Kevin' and 'Waynetta'.

Good luck with the visitors. No doubt word is tweeting around the treetops that there's always a tasty snack available over at your place.

Pol