Bird feeding advice please

mikeymustard

Fairygirl said:

 ....and Mr Magpie is chapping on the door waiting for them...

I love your "scottishisms" Fairygirl
I've given up on everything but sunflower hearts and the occasional handful or two of suet sticks. This morning I had my breakfast somewhat spoiled by the sparrowhawk breakfasting on one of my birdies 
Oh well, I suppose they've all gotta eat!

Bijdezee

Mine won't eat the meal worms, wet or dry. I cant understand it tbh. 

debs64

I bought a bird table on Tuesday and have put a mixed seed on it as I thought it would be a while before it was used but already it’s covered with tits and goldfinches who can’t get into the hanging feeders as they are fully occupied so what do people suggest on the table? Should I buy a special mix or stick to sunflower hearts? I am planning to try fat balls again never had success with those before any advice? 

Fairygirl

You could buy some sunflower hearts and just add them to your mix @debs64.
I used to do that in the past - I'd buy a robin mix and then add other things to it.
I bought some good fat balls here 
https://www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk/bird-suet-foods/bird-fat-balls.html
The premium ones have been well received 
I hang some out in the open in a feeder, and some in the little feeder in the cage. I also break little bits up to out on the ground fro blackbirds etc.

purplerallim

I put a couple of hands full of sunflower hearts and crushed peanuts alternately on the table and ground for the birds who dont like the free for all on the feeders @debs64 , only enough for that day so as not to encourage mice. The dunnocks, blackbirds, collard dove and chaffinches seem to appreciate it.😁

debs64

Thanks for that I seem to get mainly finches and tits plus one robin and some fat pigeons they all enjoy the hearts but wanted to give a variety to keep them well fed. 

Buttercupdays

I hang 2 seed feeders from the same stand, one with sunflower seed and one with a good, general seed mix. They are quite happy to eat the mix, but only when they have emptied the sunflower one!

One or two of the greenfinches like the black sunflower seeds in the mix, but no-one else makes it their first port of call.

It helps to spread the demand over a longer period, as if I refill the sunflowers they can easily empty it twice in a day.

There's plenty of food around in the summer, but in winter I spread seed and other goodies on the flat roof of the garage for the ground feeders, where there is less likelihood that the ducks will get it all, as happens with any dropped seed. It also means I get a good view through the landing window