A few questions

[FUDGEY]

Hi folks, not been on here in a while due to work, but hope your al well. I have a couple of questions that Im hoping someone on here can answer. I have just gained permission to build a hide and set a feeding station up for Red Squirells, Jays, GS Woodpeckers, Nuthabtches etc in a beautiful quiet decidious wood. I have just returned after having a rekkie and have decided to put a few nestboxes up for various birds inc Pied Flycatchers, Nuthatches, blue, great tits and also a Tawny Owl. With there being GS Woodpeckers around I think its best to put a protective metal plate or something like that over the holes. Does anyone know of an online retailer that supplies them in varying sizes? I have had a google but to no avail. The other question is what are GS Woodpeckers fave food thats easily obtainable? Just plain monkey nuts? Fat? or any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Hope someone can help, thaanks in advance.

[FUDGEY]

Also im putting feeders up with Nyger and nuts, but need some really big ones so I dont ahve to fill them every day. Any good retailers online to purchase these? Thanks again

[Richard G.]

I'll probably get shot for these links Fudgey, but lets give it a go.
Nest Box Protection.
Large Feeders.

As for what to feed GSW's, can't keep mine off the fruit flavoured suet pellets.

[Richard G.]

Meant to link the Goldfinch Flockers too

[Cowgirl]

Wow!

Those are seriously large feeders, hubbie has quickly hidden the credit card!

[nigel_b]

We watched a GSW on a peanut feedert for ages today. Seemed to be enjoying them.

[Richard G.]

Yes interesting that. My folks have GSW's on their peanuts every day, but my pair always go to the suet and leave the peanuts for the grey squidge...

I'm on the lookout for a nice piece of Silver Birch windfall. Drill a few holes, stuff them with suet, setup in a nice spot and sit in front of it with the camera Hopefully get a shot like this one. I recall the story of this picture (on the go wild with your camera DVD) and was surprised to hear that all of the Silver Birches in that shot were logs/branches setup for the photo

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Also im putting feeders up with Nyger and nuts, but need some really big ones so I dont ahve to fill them every day. Any good retailers online to purchase these? Thanks again

The Gardman Seed Fort and Nut Fort are actually quite big, (bigger than appears in the photo) take a lot of seed - I've used the seed one successfully for a number of years. I also have the Gardman Heavy Duty giant seed feeder, again has lasted quite a few years. Also comes in a peanut version too, not sure about niger ones in that size. Not as big as the ones shown in Richard's post admittedly, but those ultra giant ones tend to be very expensive, whereas these are not too expensive. Those very big ones need to be hung on a sustantial branch too, they will be very heavy when full. Not sure how the prices on this particular website compare with other suppliers, I chose it just because it showed the feeders.
The Online Gardener - Metal Feeders

[shenk1]

We have a jagunda that comes out in winter.Usually go away at christmas and have left it a fortnight and its still not emptied! Serious piece of kit

[feathered-friend]

the GSW's here like peanuts but prefer anything with fat in, either shop bought or home made.