Yeh - the little 'uns chuck out the stuff they won't eat. It's only an issue if you get invaded by wood pigeons! It's false economy though, the 'cleaner' mixes are well worth it. I used to make up my own mix but now I buy a no mess, and add sunflower hearts and extra suet treats in the coldest spells or late on in winter. If I can't get the no mess one, I buy a robin mix as they're quite similar and it gets snaffled up very quickly.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I use the suet blocks broken up for the blackies too and they also eat the no mess mix. They love a bit of apple as well when the ground's hard. I put some bits of suet in the biggest border and they can have a rummage there. Encourages them to eat a few pests while they're in there
Robins also like a bit of cheese Oxana - other birds do as well. I often put a little bit out when it's really cold. Remember to have water available for the birds as well as food, especially when ground's frozen or covered in snow. A bird bath or even a little dish of water will give them somewhere to drink and bathe. If you can provide 5 star facilities, more birds will turn up
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My blackies haven't been in the garden quite as much as other birds yet, mainly because they've been stripping all the cotoneasters. Last year was a good harvest for them - judging by the amount of mini cotoneasters I have all over the place
What we're really saying Oxana, is - 'if you build it, they will come'
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The obvious other point to mention is that you put out fat balls which in my experience birds find irresistible, so it doesn't surprise me that they haven't touched the seed whilst there is something better available! Having said that, it does look a bit "barley-y".
I filled my seed feeder up two weeks ago and it wasn't touched (RSPB seed which usually goes well). Once I put out some fat balls (this week) the Sparrows, Tits and Goldfinches gobbled them up in less than 2 days and then started on the seed. Fatties. I feel so used.
I have a similar problem. Birds like the "peanut butter", woodpeckers, smaller birds and magpies. I got a bird hotel for christmas with water and a shelf for seeds. I have an all seasons seed mix so maybe I should go for sunflower hearts. My question is that seeds in the 'hotel' are all wet does that make a difference to the birds? On the bag it says to place it 2 m away from tree cover. Is there any point in moving out even more?
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Yeh - the little 'uns chuck out the stuff they won't eat. It's only an issue if you get invaded by wood pigeons! It's false economy though, the 'cleaner' mixes are well worth it. I used to make up my own mix but now I buy a no mess, and add sunflower hearts and extra suet treats in the coldest spells or late on in winter. If I can't get the no mess one, I buy a robin mix as they're quite similar and it gets snaffled up very quickly.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Wow! Great responses! Thanks guys!!!!
Mystery solved!!!
and I bought 2 of those bags Thinking it's a good veriety mix for the birds.
Im just gonna get sunflower hearts instead!
Cheers everyone!
If you've not opened the second, I would take it back.
Our birds mainly have sunflower hearts , robin mix and an oat suet and fruit based mixture for the ground feeders such as blackbirds.
The cheaper feeds with wheat and barley in just attract pigeons and rats.
I use the suet blocks broken up for the blackies too and they also eat the no mess mix. They love a bit of apple as well when the ground's hard. I put some bits of suet in the biggest border and they can have a rummage there. Encourages them to eat a few pests while they're in there
Robins also like a bit of cheese Oxana - other birds do as well. I often put a little bit out when it's really cold. Remember to have water available for the birds as well as food, especially when ground's frozen or covered in snow. A bird bath or even a little dish of water will give them somewhere to drink and bathe. If you can provide 5 star facilities, more birds will turn up
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Absolutely agree Fairy - I've found that a reliable supply of fresh water attracts birds just as much as food, if not more so.
My blackies haven't been in the garden quite as much as other birds yet, mainly because they've been stripping all the cotoneasters. Last year was a good harvest for them - judging by the amount of mini cotoneasters I have all over the place
What we're really saying Oxana, is - 'if you build it, they will come'
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The obvious other point to mention is that you put out fat balls which in my experience birds find irresistible, so it doesn't surprise me that they haven't touched the seed whilst there is something better available! Having said that, it does look a bit "barley-y".
I filled my seed feeder up two weeks ago and it wasn't touched (RSPB seed which usually goes well). Once I put out some fat balls (this week) the Sparrows, Tits and Goldfinches gobbled them up in less than 2 days and then started on the seed. Fatties. I feel so used.
In this cold weather the birds know what's good for them - fatty foods provide the much higher level of energy they need to keep warm.
I have a similar problem. Birds like the "peanut butter", woodpeckers, smaller birds and magpies. I got a bird hotel for christmas with water and a shelf for seeds. I have an all seasons seed mix so maybe I should go for sunflower hearts. My question is that seeds in the 'hotel' are all wet does that make a difference to the birds? On the bag it says to place it 2 m away from tree cover. Is there any point in moving out even more?