[Wildlifegardener]

My parents get great spotted peckers. Yes they are handsome birds, though I didn't realise that the females pretty much abscond from baby duties! It would be lovely to have them. Will have to erect a few forests complete with decaying trees nearby first!!

I find that the clouds of h. sparrows we usually get keep most of the other birds away (apart from the usual pigs and starlings). Its only when theres one or two around that the coal tits and blue tits come down for food. I love the goldfinches, they seem to tolerate the sparrows (maybe its feeding on a different feeder) - I don't think I would get them if it wasn't for the trusty niger seed.