Bird Seed

[jennyjoan]

I have been leaving the above in a little bird feeder but it is hardly ever used. I have strewn some on the ground and the little birds seem to enjoy that as if they enjoy the freedom of hopping here and there. However I am afraid of attracting unwanted other animals - is there a kind of bird feeder I can get so that the birds can be "free" to hop about.

[Prudie]

I have the type that is enclosed in a large wire ball, little birds can get in through the gaps and feel safe, bigger things can't.

[Chipchopper]

I have a large peanut feeder, which consists of a mesh, central column inside a cage that only allows smaller birds to enter.
The few crumbs that fall, are soon gobbled up by robins and other ground feeders.
loads available if you google.

[TonyV]

There's this one, but I would shop around for a better price. Is this the style you are looking for?

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/seed-feeders/rspb-ultimate-easy-clean-seed-feeder-and-guardian-small.html?ClickType=Image&ListType=&ListName=&Position=25

[jennyjoan]

prudie - where could I buy that or if you can give me a link to perhaps buy online

[jennyjoan]

sorry I didn't see the previous posts

[barry1010]

What sort of birds are you getting? Some eat from the ground, others don't. You can get ground feeders like this https://www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk/gardman-squirrel-proof-ground-feeding-haven.html

[barry1010]

This shows the common garden birds that prefer to feed from the ground
https://voice.gardenbird.co.uk/attract-birds/ground-feeding-birds/

[theprof]

Can I suggest a cheaper option?

Buy a fine mesh bird feeder tray - a rectangular one is best - along with a couple of metal hanging baskets.

Remove the chains from the hanging baskets. Suspend the feeder tray in the centre of one hanging basket approximately level with the rim, by securing with cable ties. Invert the second hanging basket ove the first and secure the two baskets together with four small cable ties. Don't forget to cut off the excess lengths of the cable ties.

Reattach the chains to the spherical structure and hang from your bird feeder stand etc. Tip the bird food onto thr tray through the top basket. Clean the tray regularly by pouring hot water through the sphere and brushing with a long-handled dish brush or similar. Use some mild detergent for any stubborn stains, but make sure you rinse the tray well before adding the bird seed, suet pellets etc.