Bird feeder advice?

Joe Brown2

Hi guys, hopefully I can get an idea from some knowledgeable folks on here.

I have a bird feeder set up (one of those basic metal ones that have 2 plastic feeders, one metal wire one designed for peanuts I imagine and one cage that would fit those square fat/suit cakes) and I'm wondering what's probably best to try in it? I imagine it's cheaper to get it online though I imagine that's also bulk and I suppose I should probably get smaller amounts first to see what comes, whether online or from wilkos etc. £ doesn't matter too much so if you get what you pay for on bird seed I'll buy whatever. 

I live in a town outside of Nottingham so I guess it would be best to try whatever standard Midlands species would want.

Anyone got any advice and suggestions good value/quality options online?

Cheers! 

Lizzie27

I buy hulled sunflower seeds online from Little Peckers at £28.99 for two 15 kilos bags.
Lasts 2-3 months depending on time of year. I usually have lots (up to 20) goldfinches visiting so they go through lots. You do need storage space, the bags are bulky and heavy.

Dirty Harry

Sunflower hearts and fat balls are a winner for me.

Usually get mine from garden wildlife direct.

Also have a peanut feeder but it's never had that much attention.

Fairygirl

Buy a good, no mess seed mix. That, and sunflower hearts will attract a good mix of birds, however - it may take a while. Just put out a small amount until birds find it 

I also use Garden Wildlife Direct for some stuff, although Home Bargains now stock the bulk bags of sunflower hearts, so I usually get them there. At the moment, I wouldn't be visiting the shop though. 

Dirty Harry

Handy to know on the Home Bargains front.

nick615

No-one's mentioned Nijer seed which seems to attract a good mix of birds to the feeder, leaving others to clear up what falls to the ground.

Buttercupdays

Depends on your local birds, and that is influenced by surrounding environment. My garden is rural and those that visit the feeder are mostly woodland birds, though there are others that fend for themselves elsewhere in the immediate area.

My nyjer seed rotted in the feeders, while I sometimes need to top up sunflower seed twice daily! All the finches love them and lots of other birds will join in.

Peanuts are mainly eaten by my woodpecker family, who also go down the fat balls, though the tits help out with both.

I recently put out a ground feeder tray of mealworms and suet pellets for my blackbirds who are nesting, and those are going down well with the Great tits too. Not sure if the robins have found them yet.

I also use Little Peckers, but have found the the Seed feast mix from Pets at Home is acceptable, though only when the sunflower seed has run out!

Dunnocks, stock doves and a pheasant couple scavenge the dropped seed, if the ducks from my pond leave them anything.

Fairygirl

The nyger seed is usually only eaten by goldfinches, but may people find they aren't interested in it, and prefer sunflower hearts.
Like @Buttercupdays, we have a lot of woodland, and also farmland here, and I feed some peanuts, and also fat/suet, and mealworms, but you may find at this time of year the fat balls gets eaten less. I also live near a small Nat. Trust garden, so there are lots of birds nearby which don't always come in the garden because they get plenty of food in there. They visit now and again,and more in winter. It's about seeing what birds are local to you 
Start with a small amount, see what visits , and go from there. Once birds are coming regularly, you can step it up,and when it gets to autumn, you'll see an increase. 

@Dirty Harry- they're about the same price as many of the specialist suppliers for that size of bag. It's handy if you don't want to pay delivery, and they're just as good as any I've had elsewhere. They do peanuts as well

PurpleRose

I love watching the birds and my feeders attract quite a lot of different birds.

I have a mixture as I think different birds like different things.

I get a 12.5kg bag of mixed bird seed from B&M for £3.99 which goes in the trees in normal plastic feeders and in winter, I give them fat balls.

My bird feeder has black su flower seeds dangling then in the tray daily, I put meal worms and fruit suet pellets which the birds go crazy for. I have a little Starling which I have called Steve and he shrills and sqwarks as soon as I go out on a morning to top up the feeding tray 🤣🤣

louise.colley

Hi we have tried all sorts and the hulled sun flowers win hands down. We mix with normal sun flower seeds too to keep down the cost and the birds of all types love them. Good luck 

louise.colley