Bird Table

[mallyh]

i'm a little disappointed that i'm only getting starlings and ring necked doves on the feeder ,was hoping for some smaller birds.

[Sir Alec]

Hello mallyh, it depends what you're putting out. If you're offering sunflower hearts, they're a good bet for many small birds and niger seed will attract goldfinches too. I have a terrible problem with starlings. They are incredibly greedy and there are so many of them! I put out coconut halves filled with suet and insects, then I sit on the back doorstep for ages whilst my resident robin has a good feed. When he/she's gone, I can go back indoors knowing that the starlings will then come down and scoff the lot. I detest them!

[mallyh]

i have sunflower seeds .fat balls and peanuts ..

[RATTER15]

http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/

[VHG]

Some birds are "ground feeders" (like robins) and prefer to eat on the ground or a flat surface.

Other birds, like tits and sparrows, prefer to feed in a bird feeder hanging from a tree or other post.

[mallyh]

thanks for that link RATTERS :-)

[sandyRoe]

Apples halved and a bit of grated cheese on the ground would bring Blackbirds

[mallyh]

thanks VHG :-)

[mallyh]

sandyRoe this is the first year the blackbirds haven't turned up ,they stayed in the garden even when we were outside near them .

[Sir Alec]

Brilliant link there from Ratter, however I wouldn't buy from the RSPB, have you seen their prices?! I have found the cheapest, good quality foods from Wilko. I buy in bulk and have it delivered. For variety I have also been comparing prices on ebay. I get a very good deal on mealworms these days since I found a chap in Barnsley, which is the nearest dealer to me. I use a bank transfer which affords me an extra 5% off and they are delivered much more quickly too.
As Sandy says, apples and cheese will bring back your blackbirds, but I've found that cheese is loved by the robins too.
Don't despair, it took me ages to attract the goldfinches, now I have dozens!

[Chipchopper]

It may be worth investing in some specialist feeders that are more suitable for the smaller birds like tits etc but more difficult for larger species to use.
I've had success with a peanut feeder within a cage that only allows the smaller birds through the bars.
Putting some more loose/bulky food on a flat table, some distance away, may also give our smaller friends a fair chance.
Good Luck

[mallyh]

Chipchopper i have those holders for nuts etc ,the starlings hang off them
and eat everything i also have flat feeders.
Sir Alec i will look for mealworms.

[MargoTester]

Mallyh - also make sure that there is water available for the birds as this attracts them to the garden. Doesn't need to be an expensive bird bath, we have 3 plastic saucers - the ones for large plant pots - the birds come down for a drink and a splash around and then go on to the various feeders we have.

[janbee]

My bird table tends to attract collared doves and wood pigeons and a few sparrows, blackbirds and thrushes. I also have a lot of cats and foxes in my area and they also eat the seeds. Have you ever seen a big fox try and balance on a bird table ? Ha ha...

[mallyh]

hi MargoTester yes i have water for them in old takeaway pots .x
Janbee i can imagine a fox doing that lol ,mine is a pole feeder so hopefully unless it can do acrobatics the food is safe from them xx

[sddsddean]

Have you thought of getting a cage like this?
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation
Tits, Robins, Dunnocks etc can all get in fine (though for some reason our squadron of Sparrows don't bother!). You can hang up suet squares, coconuts etc and put mealworms etc on the ground. The odd Starling will work out he can muscle into the cage, but it keeps most out!

[murraymints]

i have sparrows,wrens,starlings,tits,bullfinches, magpies, ring neck doves, sparrowhawks :o( .....robins...blackies, thrush....can't keep them going at the moment..