Advice on ground feeding

[dc2009]

Hi, I recently bought a small wire mesh ground feeding tray after noticing our garden was getting regular visits from a robin and blackbird. Am keen to feed these and encourage any other ground feeding species such as the Dunnock.

Where would be the best place to site the tray (am unsure as some of the online advice I've looked at seems to contradict itself) - in the middle of the garden (in the open on grass) or nearer to the plant beds (where there's some cover)?

Also, in terms of what to place on the tray the RSPB premium ground mix seems really expensive so would be interested to know how other people improvise? ;-) Was thinking along the lines of some sunflower hearts, dried mealworms, maybe some crushed peanuts and small pieces of suet cake? I know blackbirds are supposed to be interested in fruit - if i bought raisins from the supermarket would that be ok for them to eat or does human food have things added to it which makes it unsuitable (am unsure)? Could maybe put out some bits of cheese or porridge oats too?

Just like to know if am on the right tracks and what other peoples set ups/ success are really...

Thanks

[rossy]

hello dc in lidl they have fatballs and nuts 1 49 for 8 in mesh which you can hang on your washing line they also have sunflower seeds 1 .29 1000kg and premium bird mix 1 .99 in bms its 79p for 1,5 kg bag of mixed seeds hope thats cheaper for you if they have stores in your area. as for positioning of your tray try 2 but be wary of the predetors regards rossy

[dc2009]

Hi Rossy,

Thanks for your pointers! Always good to know where to get some more reasonably priced stuff from! Used to use CJ's, thebirdtable, rspb etc in the past but got too pricey - tend to stick with Wilko's now, but will have to have look at Lidl too! ;-)

For now I've put the tray on a stepping stone near to the plant bed so there's cover to one side and open lawn the other. On it I've put some dried mealworms which I soaked first to rehydrate and provide the birds with moisture and a handful of the rspbs premium ground mix. I'm hoping to use this sparingly then make my own version of it when it runs out since everything i've looked at online suggests it's a good combination of food for ground feeding species (just v. pricey for a small bag!)... The robins using the bird table at the mo which has a mix of pretty much everything on it! Hopefully it will notice the tray soon and use that too (it's a bit nearer the house than table so hopefully better to watch also). Not seen blackbird today but hopefully when it's next pecking the lawn it will find this new tray too.

[Madonplants]

I have mine in the open, near the feeding station. If you are worried about predators, there are cages you can put over the top, so birds can get in and most squirrels, big birds and cats can't. As to what goes on it, just a wild bird mix and some Blackbird treats.

[SheffieldLass]

Ideally place away from ground cover otherwise they can be pounced on by cats too easily, but close to trees or shrubs that are open at ground level so they've got somewhere to hide quickly if birds of prey come visiting.

I use supermarket raisins. No problem, but check they don't have preservatives added (sultanas sometimes do). Sometimes oil is added to keep them soft. That is ok.

[cutecoot]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

Ideally place away from ground cover otherwise they can be pounced on by cats too easily ... That is ok.

Yes, good advice. Cats will sit and think about pouncing on their prey if its a little way away, they know that as soon as they do, their prey will be off, so make sure it is placed a reasonable distance from ground cover where they may be hiding, but it doesn't have to be *too* far

[dc2009]

Thanks for the advice - have placed it on the grass between a path and plant border - and now have Magpies, Wood Pigeons and Starlings feeding from it. The Robin and Blackbird have yet to use it, instead preferring to peck from the ground (blackbird) or use the hanging sunflower hearts and bird table (robin)...