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21-06-2006, 08:05 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
| | | Hello Hi everyone my name is Pam
I have just started feeding the birds in my garden over the last few months.
I have really been enjoying the different birds that are now coming. Nyjer seed definately works for goldfinches, although I don't see them that often.
The greenfinches love sunflower hearts.
Starlings and jackdaws have been a concern as they do take over and eat virtually everything going at high speed (especially the starlings).
I have decided to try and make my small garden welcoming to all birds - I will continue to put out food for the larger birds, but may also buy a feeder with a guard for smaller birds.
Suet cakes go in half a day at the present (starlings) and at nearly £3 each, I need to find a solution.
Any advice gratefully received!
Many Thanks
Pam | 
21-06-2006, 08:17 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny Doncaster
Posts: 4,336
| | | Re: Hello Yep I found the same with suet cakes but it was the squirels that TWOC'ed them. Naughty monkies. Welcome to the site Pam | 
21-06-2006, 08:23 PM
|  | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,130
| | | Re: Hello Hello Pamala, and a warm welcome to WAB
You'll probably find that the starlings/jackdaws are more attracted by the suet/soft food stuffs. To cater for the smaller birds it's best to stick to seed type food. You can buy feeders that have large size mesh round the outside, these are usually sold as squirrel proof feeders. I believe you can also get cage like ones to go on the floor, which let smaller birds through. Whatever you intend to do, remember starlings etc still need our help as well!
Hope this helps and good luck
Alan | 
21-06-2006, 08:26 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Exmouth Devon
Posts: 3,021
| | | Re: Hello Hi Pamala. Welcome to the wab
Beryl.  | 
21-06-2006, 08:27 PM
|  | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,525
| | | Re: Hello Hello and welcome PamelaJoys. Glad to hear you are feeding the birds, they need all the help they can get. I certainly agree with you that it is expensive. My advice would be to order in bulk over the net, compare prices and if you are adventurous enough have a go at making your own. A bit of fun, Blue Peter makes bird cakes every year.
Glad to have you on board WAB-we ALL love wildlife on here and could talk about it'until the cows come home'! ww
__________________ The female of the species is more deadly than the male.:p | 
21-06-2006, 09:18 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Sussex
Posts: 801
| | | Re: Hello I have Starlings, Jackdaws and Seagulls that demolish any food I put out. So I make my own. Line a large cake tin with foil, fill with goodies and top up with fat. It's cheap and they love it.
Kev | 
21-06-2006, 10:38 PM
|  | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: exmouth devon uk
Posts: 5,245
| | | Re: Hello hello Pamala and a very warm welcome to WAB
__________________ :) A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked:D www.cherrybees.co.uk | 
22-06-2006, 03:46 AM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Small North Lincolnshire village
Posts: 6,849
| | | Re: Hello Hello Pam, a very warm welcome to WAB from me. You seem to have much the same problem as many regarding feeding the birds, me included. sure it will all work out fine in the end
Roger | 
22-06-2006, 06:01 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,408
| | | Re: Hello Hi Pam, A very warm welcome to WAB, as everyone above say's they need help, and well done to you for helping out, it has it's rewards, and worth every penny.
Geoff | 
22-06-2006, 07:37 AM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Coventry
Posts: 763
| | | Re: Hello Hi Pam
A warm welcome to WAB.
Good idea putting a cage around your feeders, but please remember it may take the birds some time to get use to this.
Also you can make your own suet cakes and add other bits to it i.e. cheese, this is ok for the winter but in the summer when it's hot I’m sorry to say they tend to melt and leave a right mess on the floor.
Anyway glad you enjoy feeding the birds; I know they give a lot of pleasure
Mick
__________________ If you must take something from the countryside, Take a picture | 
22-06-2006, 08:19 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 925
| | | Re: Hello Following the strong winds of yesterday and this a.m. we have had a flock of sparrows in the garden, apparently feeding on fallen seeds. Since we have masses of aqualegia, doronicum etc. which are going over perhaps we might gather the seed heads and use the seeds to attract the smaller birds, rather than putting them in the 'green' bin.
Tink | 
22-06-2006, 08:26 AM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
| | Re: Hello Thank you all for welcoming me to the site and for your good advice.
As mentioned, I will definately still put out food for all birds, just want the smaller ones to get a look in too!!
The starlings love the general bird seed, but don't seem to be attacking the sunflower hearts quite so much.
Best Wishes
Pam | 
22-06-2006, 09:44 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Posts: 1,728
| | | Re: Hello Hi Pam and welcome to WAB!
I have had the same problem with the starlings as you, but at least the little birds get a look-in on the seed and nut feeders - the Starlings will wolf down any suet slabs put out - they are demolished pretty quickly!
I even put out two halves of a coconut this year .... and both of these were stolen by squirrels!! I looked out of the kitchen window and the little blighter was hopping across the lawn with his teeth into the rim of the coconut ... having first climbed the feeder pole and bitten his way through the string it was dangling from!
They really are cheeky sods, those grey squirrels ... 
__________________ Jez | 
25-06-2006, 08:25 PM
|  | Knight of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield
Posts: 5,419
| | | Re: Hello Hi Pamela and a very warm welcome to WAB. I'm sure you will enjoy the site.
John | 
25-06-2006, 09:42 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cornwall..
Posts: 1,476
| | | Re: Hello Hello Pam and welcome here. Thats good work your doing there................Jon | 
01-07-2006, 08:46 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 517
| | | Re: Hello Welcome to WAB Pamela!
__________________ Bleak is this tragedy Ophelia , My darling rose of May
Drown... cruel misery, The curse of a broken heart .. | 
01-07-2006, 11:18 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,547
| | | Re: Hello Hello Pam
A warm welcome to WAB.
It sounds like you are really enjoying attracting the birds to your garden. Unfortunately I live in a second floor flat so I do not have that pleasure. Keep up the good work.
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