Feeding The Birds

[kia cat]

We have a robin that loves mealworms, any ideas how to prevent the starlings and pigeons from mullering all the food? Just want all of them to get a fair share, not just the greedy ones pinching the lot. Thx

[Chipchopper]

The pigeons wont eat mealworms but many of the others will barge their way in.
I have seen certain types of feeders that have restricted size that will allow smaller birds in but not the bigger ones. one type looks a bit like an upturned, wire hanging basket but there are several different designs for ground and table feeders.

[viv41]

Sorry chip, but I am constantly chasing away a pigeon from the mealworms that I put out for the smaller birds. I find that they will eat ANYTHING ! I too would be grateful for any tips to keep the scavengers away .....

[ladybirder]

Try one of these Kia. Put your worms in a saucer or a dosh and place the cover over. Only the small birds will be able to get in and eat them. Problem solved.
http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/birds-wildlife/bird-feeders/adjustable-ground-feeding-sanctuary.html

[ladybirder]

Sorry, meant to say put it on the ground. Also dish not dosh.

[Robinia]

Yes, pigeons eat mealworms in my garden too.
I wrap rope/bungee elastics around the supports on my bird table to stop all but small birds getting on it....or something like this looks better.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gOsYVCpedQ/TbbbLc_S1CI/AAAAAAAAACk/UdkpRT_ruOE/s1600/Table2.JPG

[viv41]

Two good tips there. I'll be popping round to my my local Pets at Home later to see what they have in stock.

[ladybirder]

You have to make sure the birds with the long bills can't reach the worms and I think the ground feeder solution keeps that bit more distance between the worms and the long bills.
Not dissing your solution at all Robinia but if I used elastic bands my wretched squirrels would make short work of those.

[Robinia]

My current squirrels don't bother with the table. However one did learn how to clutch the sunflower heart feeder to his chest, turn it upside down and shake it until the lid came off and all the seeds scattered on the ground.
I bought a squirrel proof feeder. :)

[viv41]

That made me laugh Robinia (sorry).

[Robinia]

It was hilarious...my sister witnessed it. She thought I should leave a feeder just for him but I don't think she knew how much sunflower hearts cost. :)

[viv41]

They are definitely cheekly little beggars Robinia .....

[Chipchopper]

I stand corrected, re pigeons eating mealworms.
My answer was based on my observations of wood pigeons in my garden.

[naomi24]

Squirrels took up residence in our friend's loft. The idiot took a shotgun to them. It didn't do his loft or roof much good! :o)

[ladybirder]

Robin my squirrels do that as well. I have also had to wire the lid on to stop them pulling it off. I'm not sure squirrel proof exists. However, I have now bought a Helix one with a sort of lock on it which fixes the lid in the closed position and also has a bigger turning capacity when screwing the lid closed. They did bring it crashing to the floor twice and then ate all the contents but I now realise that was my fault for not locking it properly. Clever little beggars aren't they.

[ladybirder]

But did it get rid of the squirrels naomi?

[Chipchopper]

Naomi, did "the idiot" have a night out on the tiles before he took a shotgun to the squirrels ?.
Hope he got slated for it !

[wildwood]

With a bit of coaching, robins will take mealworms from your hand. They are easily hand-tamed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2389453/Hugh-Warwick-trained-Robin-eat-hand.html

[viv41]

Just ordered one of those ground feeders from Amazon, sick to death of trying to keep the fat pigeon away! Can't wait for it to come now.