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Bird feeder

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Wildlife gardening
We were given this new bird feeder a few days ago, so no receipt.  It has only been hanging for 3 or 4 days, but with no visitors.  We have filled it with sunflower hearts.  There are no perches and we are wondering if the holes are too small and whether we should fill it with bird seed.  Has anyone got a feeder like this and if so, is it being used?
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  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    When I first put out a bird feeder it took a while for them to visit it. I use a nixed bird feed in mine so as to get a wider variety of bird.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Was it the same style as the one shown above @NannaBoo?  We do have others like this mucky one below but they all have perches. I wonder if the birds would cling to the metal of this one - it appears very uncomfortable for them?
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,314
    edited June 2019
    NannyBoo is right about them taking their time to trust any new feeder, even one they have visited before. Could you push a thin piece of dowel or rod through it GD? Might be able to make four perches?  But I agree the holes look very small.

    Edited to add:  Is this the one?  https://www.gardenbird.co.uk/exclusive-sunflower-heart-seed-feeder.html

    It does look as though there is a perch at the bottom but the birds are not necessarily using it?
    http://voice.gardenbird.co.uk/essential-hygiene-cleaning-bird-feeders/
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • matt_fendermatt_fender Posts: 169
    I think that those feeders may be designed for use with nyger seed, to attract finches. Not sure though - the holes don't look that small. I have seen this type in the shops before but was a bit wary about lack of perches so went with a more standard one. I assume they must work though, and the birds are expected to cling on to the holes, which perhaps helps to deter starlings?
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,383
    I think the holes are too small for sunflower hearts. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • OmoriOmori Posts: 1,660
    Sort of looks like this one?

    Peckish All Weather Sunflower Heart Metal Bird Feeder, Large https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017BKXK4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_wtLfDbP291EFF
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    Our birds aren’t using the feeders much right now. Too much else available I reckon. 

    But they do like the water bath!
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,383
    @Omori that looks a good size. The can grip onto that better.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    According to the instruction wrap around paper it has been designed for sunflower hearts and I can understand that the lack of a perch is a deterrent for larger birds although only small birds eat our sflhearts.  We have removed the sunflower hearts and are trialing ordinary bird seed in it for a few days.  I will come back with an update, thanks for all your suggestions and helpful links which I have followed up.
  • BrexiteerBrexiteer Posts: 955
    Ordinary bird seed will sprout all over the place
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