Sunflower Hearts

[Power walker]

We feed our birds with sunflowers hearts and wild bird seed. I don't have a problem with the wild bird seed, apart from the very long grass surrounding the bird feeder, but I do have a problem with the sunflower hearts.

Once again, today I have had to dig up the grass, or what was left of it, below the bird feeder. It seems that when the birds drop the seed over a period of time the seed embeds in the grass and then I end up with a fatty mass mound. The fatty mound is rancid, it is the most awful smell you could ever imagine.

Has anyone else had a problem with this, if so, could someone please let me know what I need to do - other than not buy sunflower hearts anymore and lose the Goldfinches.

My lawn looks really awful so I really hope that someone has an answer.

Power Walker

[Jim Ford]

Don't use sunflower hearts. The packaging sunflower seeds come in will keep the kernel fresh from mould and decay for over a year in all weathers. It's better for the birds and they don't have any problems dealing with them.

For goldfinches use nijer seed. Our goldfinches are on our nijer feeders from dawn to dusk.

Jim

[Power walker]

Hi Jim

Thanks very much for the reply and I will look for the Nijer seed.

Just to clarify, are you saying it's best to use the black Sunflower Seed?

Kind regards

Power Walker

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Power walker

Hi Jim
Just to clarify, are you saying it's best to use the black Sunflower Seed?

I think so, though others may disagree!

I think the main reason for people using sunflower hearts is because of the reduction in mess. Any mess doesn't worry me, and because the birds take the seed away from the feeder to nearby perches, it gets dispersed anyway. Also it doesn't seem to build up, possibly because the worms take the husks down.

I think it's more important than 'mess' to provide the birds with fresh food. De-husked seeds are prone to mould and oxidation of the oils.

If you go for nijer, don't get an expensive feeder - I've tried them and found this one is by far the cheapest and best:

http://www.haiths.com/Products/Lante...der-WBNF01010/

Jim

Jim

[nightshade]

I use sunflower hearts and have a dish beneath the feeders which I empty every evening, there is still some overspill, but this is easily cleaned up provided it is not left. Yes it does smell but have you noticed the worms in it?

[Power walker]

No I have not noticed any worms. I can confirm that I have order Nijer seed.

Thanks very much for the comments and ideas, they are very much appreciated.

Power Walker

[Power walker]

Thanks very much Jim for your help, I was at my wits end as to what I needed to do.

Kindest regards

Power Walker

[exo]

I have a 4ft square of woven black plastic fabric below my seed feeders,
weighted at the corners with cobbles.

Tends to keep the spilt seed drier & allows the dunnocks/pigeons/blackbirds etc
easier pickings cos the seeds show up more clearly.

Using a 50% sunflower hearts seed-mix + some extra aniseed/fennel/linseed/chicory/dill/niger.

Occasionally pick it up & brush off any stuck-on stuff.

Works well for me anyway.

[nightshade]

Now that is worth a try, my dish is fine until it rains then I get porridge, where do you get the black material? is it weed suppressant?

[exo]

Yes, it's just the usual weed control sheet/roll you can get in garden centres etc