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Post by Juliet on Feb 16, 2008 20:51:53 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 16, 2008 21:26:15 GMT
I'd empty them out an plant them Juliet ;D
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Post by Juliet on Feb 16, 2008 22:11:44 GMT
I could do, couldn't I? The birds don't seem to be eating the seeds at all - it was a freebie though so doesn't really matter.
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Post by Tig on Feb 16, 2008 23:40:35 GMT
I had a similar thing happen with my bird feeders Juliet - but they were a bit easier to sort out than yours  |
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Post by Juliet on Feb 17, 2008 12:24:06 GMT
Think it must be the wet weather we had earlier in the year. I've had seeds in birdfeeders go mouldy with wet before, but never start growing!
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Post by Plocket on Feb 17, 2008 15:15:24 GMT
Niger is prolific stuff so I'm not surprised it's shooting. I keep my feeders under domes now and they really do make a difference and keep the seed dry.
If I were you I'd invest in a cheap feeder and transfer the non-sprouting niger into it. A tray underneath is sensible too otherwise the niger will be sprouting all over your garden!
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SteveC
Under Gardener
Posts: 43
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Post by SteveC on Feb 17, 2008 18:58:56 GMT
It doesn't help when the goldfinches extract and discard (onto the patio) at least two out of every three seeds in the feeder. They are very wasteful birds. Steve PS -- we had siskins on the niger today. First time in about three years.  |
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Post by Dr Bill on Feb 17, 2008 20:50:31 GMT
I put a niger seed feeder out some time ago to try to attract goldfinches in particular. It is as full now as it was then - none of the birds will touch it. And no sign of goldfinches
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Post by Plocket on Feb 17, 2008 21:56:39 GMT
Apparently you shouldn't put niger out until you see finches in the garden. I'm not sure why though  |
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Post by Juliet on Feb 17, 2008 23:01:37 GMT
We have the occasional goldfinch, but they queue up for sunflower seeds with the other birds - don't seem to be interested in the niger seed at all!  The feeder only has tiny holes though, so it might be difficult to work out how to get to the seeds - maybe I'll transfer them to the tray in the caged feeder & see if any of the finches can get into that (usually use it for mealworms but not got any at the moment as I don't think a load of mealworms in the garage - or the fridge - is going to help sell the house  ) Our greenfinches are pretty wasteful too, Steve - they drop sunflower seeds all over the lawn - but we only get the odd one growing - the collared doves hoover up most of them  |
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The feeder only has tiny holes though, so it might be difficult to work out how to get to the seeds - maybe I'll transfer them to the tray in the caged feeder & see if any of the finches can get into that (usually use it for mealworms but not got any at the moment as I don't think a load of mealworms in the garage - or the fridge - is going to help sell the house 