Bird feeder/tables

[Rosefriend]

Even the pigeons are hungry now....we don't often see them under the bird table...



RF

[Jasmine]

They must be hungry RF.

One of the most amazing bird related things I ever saw was at my last school in London - before healthy eating days - the children were allowed to have crisps at playtime and when the bell rang and the children had to stand still the seagulls descended on the playground to clear up the crumbs as the children walked in. It was like the bell ringing was a signal.

Went to the GC with littlest twin this morning and as a complete coincidence he picked up some meal worms because he thought they looked funny - so we got some. They are dead but they look like they are slithering around in the pot when you move the pot. I might regret this

[Missredhead]

I put some nuts on a hanging feeder today and the grey tits just decended on it..they flew off with a nut each in their beaks...then came back for more....an hour later the nuts had all gone.
The feeder is an open one....should I refill it or not...I dont want the birds to choke on whole nuts.

[Jasmine]

I think you would read that it was ok at this time of the year MRH but not when they are feeding their chicks as the chicks can choke on whole peanuts.

[Ladygardener]

Unfortunately pigeons are always on the lookout in my area and when I put out food for the smaller ground feeder birds they'd come and eat the lot if they could get away with it.
I've often thought of meely worms, must get some next time I'm at the pet shop. All the birds seem to love the suet pellets too, some of them have meely worms in them I think, they have insects of some kind anyhow.

[Jasmine]

Littlest twin and I are rehydrating meal worms

He is thrilled with the whole thing.

[Ladygardener]

I can just imagine ;D

[Missredhead]

Jan 17, 2010 10:57:08 GMT Jasmine said:

Littlest twin and I are rehydrating meal worms

He is thrilled with the whole thing.

how long do you leave them for Jas?
And are you just sticking them in water and how much?

[Jasmine]

It says on the tub to soak them for 15 minutes MRH. We just put in 4 tablespoons of meal worms and a splash of warm water and gave them a stir every now and again. Then I emptied them onto the bird table and some on a tray on the ground.
They have not been a hit to be honest - maybe they are being treated with a bit of suspicion at the moment.

[Juliet]

I think it takes the birds a while to get used to anything new, so hopefully they'll find them soon.

[Barbara]

Jan 17, 2010 10:57:08 GMT Jasmine said:

Littlest twin and I are rehydrating meal worms

He is thrilled with the whole thing.

Little boys huh .

[Jasmine]

Quite ;D

[Jasmine]

Well, the meal worms have been found and eaten but I can't believe how popular the black sunflower seeds are - I can't fill that feeder quick enough.

[Jilly]

Was interested to read about the meal worms Jas, the ones I saw advertised were deep frozen. OH said with my lack of organisation there was no way we were having them in our freezer i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/grin.gif .

Jillyx

[Ladygardener]

Perhaps some shrimps for supper Jilly. Glad to hear they've gone down well Jasmine.

[Jasmine]

Jan 18, 2010 17:19:36 GMT Jilly said:

Was interested to read about the meal worms Jas, the ones I saw advertised were deep frozen. OH said with my lack of organisation there was no way we were having them in our freezer .

Jillyx

Yummy - meal worm pie Jilly i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cheesy.gif

[Jilly]

I wish I'd had my camera handy earlier. The tray on the top of the makeshift bird table is only about an 8 inch square, apart from the pied wagtail which visits fairly regularly I've never seen a bird on it but I've carried on as quite a bit of the food goes, now I know why.
I looked out of the window this afternoon & saw a fully grown seagull perched precariously on the edge. Not quite what I was expecting but I suppose it will discourage the cats from taking an interest i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/rolleyes.gif .

Jillyx

[JennyWrenn]

AT LAST

Yesterday saw blue tit feeding on my coconut shell - that leaves just another three to be eaten - a few peck marks but thats about it

[Ladygardener]

They might be coming when you're off at work JW, good that you've started to see them 'tho.

[JennyWrenn]

Last year I couldnt replace them fast enough as they ate them so quickly

They are not there whilst at work Lady cos there are only a few peck marks on them and the inside hasnt been touched much at all

[Jasmine]

I can't keep up with the black sunflower seeds. Fast as I fill that feeder it gets emptied and the ground is littered with bits of shell. Will have to fill up again and move feeder to another spot to spread out the mess.

[Ladygardener]

JW perhaps black sunflower seeds are the way to go then.Thanks for the tip Jasmine, I'll be adding them to my list although there are some in the seed mix I buy.

[Jasmine]

I saw a bag of just sunflower seeds in the GC a few visits ago LG and I think it was Barbara who said that she had found they were really popular so I got them and then I got a feeder to keep them in one place.
Meal worms are turning out to be popular too and the birds don't mind if they aren't soaked.

[Ladygardener]

We would'nt need to worry about pre soaking them here Jasmine, the garden is still spongy from all the rain and it's never far away anyhow.

[Jasmine]

That's what I thought as I scattered them on the soggy ground LG

[Ladygardener]

I bought a big bag of the black sunflower seeds today and have some on the bird table and also bought a new seed dispenser and half filled it with them too. Hope the birds over here like them too. ;D

[Jasmine]

I've just filled all my feeders up - the black sunflower seed one was completely empty...again ;D It will be interesting to see if your birds like them as much LG

[Ladygardener]

I'm hoping I get even more visitors now Jasmine. :)Has everyone done the birdwatch today or are some folk doing it tomorrow I wonder.

[Auricula]

I'm doing it tomorrow LG

[Jilly]

Has anyone else noticed the huge amount that the birds are eating in the last week of so. I know my sparrow flock is a lot bigger now than in the Winter because of 3 lots of babies but I'm going through a feeder full of seed & 2 fat balls a day atm, and that's without the birdtable being filled twice a day.
I've got a horrible feeling that the birds know something about a long harsh Winter that we don't.

Jillyx