Busy in the garden again

[maxfoto2003]

hi group

it is busy in the garden again... I bet also in yours... are you also feeding already? I really enjoy looking outside and see all the birds there.....

here is one I really liked...

a lovely blue tit eating....

[Elizabeth Bigg]

I feed the birds all the year round, though it has been fairly quiet in the garden until a week or so ago.

If you like bluetits, you might find our website interesting - the life stories of two bluetit families. We have already had a bluetit investigating one of our boxes, but it hasn't visited for a few days now.

[maxfoto2003]

that is really lovely, your site. I only looked at the latest added pics yet, but I will be looking into your site further!! great!

I made a series of 'my' blue tit nest at http://www.mydigishots.com/vogels/bluetit/ last year.

but what you have with the camera inside is really great! I hope there will be another nest soon!

may I ask you: how did you clean out the nest box?

[Elizabeth Bigg]

..............may I ask you: how did you clean out the nest box?

We emptied out the nest, swept around inside the box, then poured boiling water into it. When it was quite dry, we put the box back. This is what is recommended by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust - you can read full details in the entry for Jan 1 2003.

[Tammie]

It's getting to be very busy around here on the other side of the world as well. I've been feeding chickadees, rb nuthatches, evening grosbeaks, pine grosbeaks, one female rose breasted grosbeak, song sparrows, one American tree sparrow, common redpolls, snow buntings, whiskey jacks (gray jays), hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, ruffed grouse...

Winter has barely started (although this week is forecasted freezing rain and 10 cm of snow by Wednesday night!) I have very few pine grosbeaks just yet but I'm sure they'll be here in full force soon.

[Fuchsia]

I've got a lot of blue and great tits (and a pair of marsh) currently clinging to the feeders in the wind and rain - poor little things!
Mariette and Elizabeth - Great web sites. I'd love to put some nest boxes up - do you have any advice on positioning? I've read they should be away from the feeding area. The birds are very tame but how close to the house is advisable?

Best wishes
Jen

[pduxon]

At the moment the Greenfinches and House Sparrow are having a turf war for control of the feeders. The poor blueys are having to sneak in.

[pauco]

nice to see other gardens busy.checked my records for the last 2 years and October seems to
have been unusually busy? any thoughts, the
number of blackbirds is well up. other gardens
reporting an increase in siskins. our robin is still
freaking out if any other birds try to feed, more so
the blue-coal tits, but he is giving the greenfinches a hard time still it makes good viewing!! house sparrows this morning in strong
winds and heavy rain still hold 30+ nice to see.
bert.

[mcdowella]

Hurray for Autumn! not only am I getting a few more birds, but the Cherry tree near the feeder is losing its leaves. Now they can fly but they can't hide!

[seb_seb]

Ive got 3 coal tits and a nuthatch constantly stashing food all over the garden.....only to find the blue and great tits stealing it!!! But the Nuthatch is getting his own back now and stealing more desirable foods off the tits:D

[steve_nova]

Black Sunflower seeds! The birds just love them. They are going down in the feeders faster than anything else at the moment.
I have just purchesed a 25kg bag for £5.......that should last me a while.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Black Sunflower seeds! The birds just love them. They are going down in the feeders faster than anything else at the moment.
I have just purchesed a 25kg bag for £5.......that should last me a while.

Steve - that price is amazing, I have to pay £11 for 15kg in a local pet shop, and this is far cheaper than a mail order supplier, my only other source.

[Bluetail]

Black Sunflower seeds! The birds just love them. They are going down in the feeders faster than anything else at the moment.

My Greenfinches loved them too. Used to get about a dozen of them fighting over the two feeders. But when I switched to sunflower hearts I started getting Goldfinches as well - a bird that had hardly ever visited before. Admittedly I also added another feeder and changed their location, but now I've got about 15 Greenfinches and 20 Goldfinches visiting regularly (but no more than about 4 Chaffinches for some reason).

I have just purchesed a 25kg bag for £5.......that should last me a while.

I hope they're decent quality. A year or so ago a chap over on uk.rec.birdwatching found Greenfinch after Greenfinch dying in his garden. The trouble was eventually traced to dodgy sunflower seeds. Can't remember the precise details, but no doubt it's all archived on Google.

Jason

[Nina P]

I have many robins throughout the garden, and they have distinct boundaries, but with at least four pairs in the garden I have to spread the food into several zones, I bought coconuts filled with seed and fat which seem to be very popular, and have already half emptied all four of them. the mealworms are also very well liked, and they go so fast, gobbled up by the first comers and the bravest, Blackbirds, nuthatches, robins, sparrows, wrens and tits. the greenfinches don't seem to want them though, so that is a bit of good neews, as they scoff most things faster than I can put them out. I have thought of putting suet out, but I don't know if that is safe or not. I find dried fruit popular too, and if I have some fresh fruit tha is going soft I chop that up for the birds, and the Blackbirds, Thrushes and starlings go mad for those. Nina.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

I hope they're decent quality. A year or so ago a chap over on uk.rec.birdwatching found Greenfinch after Greenfinch dying in his garden. The trouble was eventually traced to dodgy sunflower seeds. Can't remember the precise details, but no doubt it's all archived on Google.

Jason

Thanks Jason, exactly what I was wondering. I know the problems with aflotoxins in peanuts, which is why I always buy them from a guaranteed "Safe Nuts" supplier. I suppose you "pays your money................".

[Bluetail]

Hi Nina

I guess you've got a large garden with that many Robins. Presumably when you mention pairs you're referring to spring- and summer-time? They'll all be holding (or fighting over) individual territories at this time of year. No pairing; no holds barred either!

Jason

[steve_nova]

Hi Jason, quite worrying that detail about poor quality seed. I think this supplier is pretty reputable, Walter Harrison & sons.
Elizabeth, I don't know if you have come across this brand before or even if that size is readily available but I will have a look on t'internet and see if they do that size for general retail.

[Nina P]

No they are still in their pairings, and nearly always stay together until one dies, I get greeted in specific areas, and nearly always there are two of them.

[Bluetail]

Hi Steve

I don't know Walter Harrison and Sons, or anything about the economics of the birdseed trade either, so I'm certainly not casting aspersions. I was just raising awareness of an issue that seems worth checking out.

Nina

Thanks for that. You can tell bird lifestyles isn't my forte, can't you? At least it made me go and check. You learn something every day. I suppose I ought to spend less time walking and more watching and waiting. My garden is too small to sport breeding Robins, but I always get a pair fighting their boundaries in winter. They usually end up diving the garden more or less in half, each territory including a neighbour's garden as well. This year I've only one bird, probably because one of our neighbour's gardens has disappeared under stone chippings and paving slabs.

Jason

[Nina P]

How sad Bluetail, I am very fortunate to have a large open garden, and three bird tables, and feeders dotted around the garden from top to bottom, and the front garden is well sheltered by the trees, but you can see the back garden in the Dorset news thread, and see if you can guess the zones for the robins, if you want to!
I was hoping to get a yeigh or neigh over the suet, but so far no news!

[steve_nova]

Hi Nina, all this is useful info for me as I really want to attract plenty of birds into my liitle corner of England that is my back and front garden.
I really am surprised at the speed of removal of the black sunF seeds. I read that they have the highest oil content so plenty of energy for them.
I know my mum uses suet that the starlings seem to love.

[steve_nova]

.....I hope that is not one of the reasons for their decline!!!

[Fuchsia]

The price of seed etc is a bit crazy I think. I just made a huge suet/nut cake that cost £1.70 - the equivalent size of 3 x £2.90 suet bars that an 'online supplier' sell.
Finding cheaper or specific seed is a problem over here. We have a great supply of apples tho - an overgrown orchard that we haven't had time to harvest. I'm really glad I can use them for the birds.
The only Goldfinch I've seen on the feeder was quickly despatched by one of the Robins - now as you say Jason, they are busy chasing each other around.

Jen

[Elizabeth Bigg]

I was hoping to get a yeigh or neigh over the suet, but so far no news!

Nina - I have just bought a new triple feeder (peanuts, seed, treat) from Garden Bird Supplies to hang near the window where I am sitting now. I received a free treat, which is "a solid 330g block of suet with a range of different flavourings", so I hope it's safe.

I also hope I can make a suitable shape from my bird pudding mixture when/if this is used up - I'm cerainly not going to pay carriage +£2.45 for another one.

[Bluetail]

I know my mum uses suet that the starlings seem to love.

That reminds me. Time to make a bird cake. I don't use suet myself - just peanuts put through a blender and dripping with a crumbled slice of bread to fill it out a bit. At our last house the Starlings used to go wild over it. There's something about the habitat where we are now that Starlings don't like (we never see them in the area). However, having woodland just across the road, the cake usually attracts a Blackcap or two for the winter.

Jason

[Nina P]

Thanks for that info Steve, and I feed sunflower hearts, niger seed, and striped sunflower seeds too, but I have never managed to encourage goldfinches, hence the pile of niger seed left, in the feeders and on the table, but the mixed grain with sweetcorn is gobbled up with gusto by the collared doves and woodpigeons, so now I'll have to try suet, mixed with other goodies, like sultanas, and apples, which I have plenty from the orchard, but need to soften first, but all soft fruit will go into the pudding!Thanks for that!

[Bluetail]

The only Goldfinch I've seen on the feeder was quickly despatched by one of the Robins.

I was afraid that was going to happen here too. Our Robin has certainly been trying to comandeer the feeders. Fortunately the sheer number of finches seems to have won through. The Robin seems to have accepted that you can't win 'em all, while the finches are much more concerned with fighting amongst themselves.

Hi Nina,

I see what you mean about your garden. No wonder it's a bird haven. My Mother-in-law lives in Canford Heath, so I can understand why you get what you do. I particularly envy you that Smooth Snake. Not the Adders, though. I nearly trod on one of those last year at Studland and didn't at all like the way it looked at me before slithering off.

Jason

[Fuchsia]

Nina,
I read that if you heat and cool the suet twice it won't melt again - not that there's much chance of that at the moment!
Do none of the other birds like Niger seed as I was thinking of getting some but don't want it to waste if the Goldfinch never come back.

Jen

[Fuchsia]

Jason,
The Robins here have given in to all the Blue and Great tits. No-one takes on the Nuthatch and his big pointy beak tho!
Send a few of those finches this way will ya!

Jen

[Bluetail]

Jason,
The Robins here have given in to all the Blue and Great tits. No-one takes on the Nuthatch and his big pointy beak tho!
Send a few of those finches this way will ya!

Jen

If the rain and wind we've had today keeps up, they'll probably come of their own accord!

Jason

[Nina P]

I have robin and nutty on the table together, they do seem to get on rather well, but the front table gets many visitors throughout the day and time flies when watching them. I hoped to get the goldfinches that gather in the lane beside my garden, but they never enter this place, but why? I have no idea, and none of the other birds seem to like niger seed, so I'll not get any more, but I would have thought the greenfinches would have eaten them though! Bluetail, Canford Heath is only a few miles away from here and a veritable herpetological delight, I'm surprised the family haven't seen at least one smooth snake, plus many sand lizards, I haven't seen any of those in my plot of land!

[Fuchsia]

It's a mystery. My parents are in Yorkshire and counted 14 Greenfinch on the feeder at one time - they also have Goldfinches. I think I'll skip the Niger for now - feeding the rest of them is a full time job anyway. I'm off to look at your garden now.
Jason - I don't think they'd like the weather here any better at the mo!

Jen

[Bluetail]

Canford Heath is only a few miles away from here and a veritable herpetological delight, I'm surprised the family haven't seen at least one smooth snake, plus many sand lizards, I haven't seen any of those in my plot of land!

If the house were actually on the edge of the heath itself I am sure the garden would get all that - and more! Unfortunately, though, it's towards the southern edge of the built-up area so loses out somewhat.

Jason

[Nina P]

I do know very well, and the little fire raisers too that give real grief to their neighbours. I nearly made a cheeky comment to your Studland visit, but thought better as you may not have known the section where you have to remove all your clothes to visit a particular area, but the views are well worth it.

[Bluetail]

Jen and Nina

Quite what attracts or deters paticular species has always been a bit of a mystery to me, but, for what it's worth I think the siting of the feeders has a lot to do with it. My finches travel together in small flocks, sometimes combining into larger ones. Since I live on the side of a hill with a panoramic view, I can often spot them zooming in from half a mile away. They will fly around a bit and then suddenly drop down like rain into the apple tree where I hang the feeders, or into an adjacent cherry tree. Previously I used to hang the feeders in a shrub at the side of the garden where the aspect was less open and the birds had to adopt a slightly more careful approach; the escape route was also more restricted. I think that made all the difference. Nina - could it be, I wonder, that the shrubs in the middle of your garden don't offer the open aspect that these finches seem to prefer?

Jason

[Bluetail]

I nearly made a cheeky comment to your Studland visit, but thought better as you may not have known the section where you have to remove all your clothes to visit a particular area, but the views are well worth it.

Er, which views do you mean, exactly!!?? I do know that beach, but I'd never go there for fear of having my telescope wrapped round my head! My boundaries stop strictly at Littlesea. In any case I find I tend to see more birds on the Brand's Bay side.

Jason

[Nina P]

Possibly, but the table is in the open between the orchard, and the shrubbery in the middle, and suits most of the birds that visit including the wrens, but I do have a feeder hanging on the pole down the bottom and in the open, but I am very wary of the Goshawks that predate the lower garden, and take pigeons, crows, and blackies, so this feeder is not very popular. There is now a raging storm here and has been accompanied with thunder and lightening, so it has now arrived Jason!

[Nina P]

I did think you would know it but I like the view from the beach up to the top, and my vision is not very good, hence the specs, but I haven't had too much bother using bins, but I'd never use the camera!!

[Fuchsia]

That's really interesting. I've been meaning to put a new feeder (probably flat) near an oak tree at the bottom that a woodpecker occasionally visits to try and encourage him with suet etc. Maybe it will attract a bit more. Fingers crossed.
I'm surprised I have any feeders this morning after the wind last night!

Jen

[Elizabeth Bigg]

It's been pretty wild and wet here, but all my feeders have survived, and I have a new pole feeder on order, with 4 hooks for hanging things from, and a large seed feeder/squirrel baffle - hope it works. I have a squirrel proof bird table, so plan B will come into action if it doesn't.

The rain is playing "catch up" - we had 9mm in September, 36mm in October, and now have had 42mm since Wednesday morning! Wonderful - but should I start building an ark? ;)

[k.k.stevenson1]

Hi Nina i feed all the year round but it gets very busy around now.I have 14 feeders and a small table in a little yard in Nottingham .At the moment i have 54 goldfinches and 20 plus Housesparrows 4 Bluetits 2 Greenfinch 1 Robin 3 Great tit and a wren.I feed sunflower hearts. nuts.mixedseeds peanut granules and any fruit we have left over It costs alot but its worth it.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Ken - what do the goldfinches prefer? I have tried niger seed and it was ignored, and I gave some to my sister-in-law, who lives fairly near and has lots of goldfinches - again no luck.

[Nina P]

Fuchsia, I can reccommend nut feeders for greater spotted woodpeckers, as I have several, and they prefer the ones hung in a tree, or under the arch hidden by the clematis seed heads, which have also survived the great blow, and thunderstorm of last night. I don't know which woodpeckers you have where you live, but the green woodpeckers don't visit the feeders here, as they tend to be ground feeders and live on ants, so depending on what the feeding habits are in your area try all sorts and watch!
Elizabeth, I don't think you need to worry as Surrey is one of the areas suffering drought conditions, but with getting the sudden downpours I can imagine you may need one due to runoff, just for fun. Nina.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

We have great spotted woodpeckers coming to the peanut feeder hanging about 2 metres from the dining room window, but I don't think it has ever come when we are actually in the room. Usually we spot it from the bedroom window above, or scare it off as we go into the room. However it also visits the peanut feeder further down the garden, when we are watching. This is in quite an exposed position.

[Fuchsia]

Thanks Nina - it is a male GS woodpecker. I'll hang one in his tree.

Jen

[Nina P]

Good luck Fuchsia, the males are more brave but the females are more shy, I did have the pleasure of the three young raised by the pair whose nest is in the tree opposite my front gate, and while sat in the gazebo they came to the feeder in the arch right next to where the gazebo was, so I got a real close up view but no camera at that time, now I have the camera I hope to get some good ones next year! Nina

[k.k.stevenson1]

Ken - what do the goldfinches prefer? I have tried niger seed and it was ignored, and I gave some to my sister-in-law, who lives fairly near and has lots of goldfinches - again no luck.
Hi Elizabeth they Love sunflower hearts .they are back and forth all day

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Thanks Ken - another question, do you put them in a hanging feeder? At the moment I just put out hearts in a dish on the bird table - and it's usually the starlings who hog the lot.

[k.k.stevenson1]

Thanks Ken - another question, do you put them in a hanging feeder? At the moment I just put out hearts in a dish on the bird table - and it's usually the starlings who hog the lot.
Hi Elizabeth I have 7 feeders with hearts only in them and i put a hand full on the table .Ken.

[Bluetail]

Hi Elizabeth they Love sunflower hearts .they are back and forth all day

Mine too!

Jason

[Fuchsia]

A little p.s....
Thanks Jason, received a tree full of Greenfinch this morning - let's see if they stick around!

Jen :-)

[Bluetail]

A little p.s....
Thanks Jason, received a tree full of Greenfinch this morning - let's see if they stick around!

Jen :-)


That's great! They ought to stick around if you keep the food supply topped up enough. Could cost you a packet, though! Now let's hope you get some Goldfinches as well. Was it moving the feeders that did the trick?

Jason

[k.k.stevenson1]

Ken - what do the goldfinches prefer? I have tried niger seed and it was ignored, and I gave some to my sister-in-law, who lives fairly near and has lots of goldfinches - again no luck.
Hi Elizabeth.Better late than never I find the goldfinches love sunflower hearts .Sorry for the delay.allthe very best.Ken

[Fuchsia]

The finches have completely ignored the feeders which are on the other side of the house and prefer eating the cones in the cypress tree. The new feeder (in a more secluded spot) is a hit only with the usual suspects so far - let's see what happens. A real surprise was a Cirl Bunting that landed in my 'bird tree' (tree with suet etc hanging on it) then had a scratch around underneith. There's just no telling with these chaps is there!

Jen

[k.k.stevenson1]

Hi Jen Have you tried sunflower hearts .I find goldfinches love them.I have 14 feeders 8 have sunflower hearts in and they ar soon empty.Allthe best Ken.

[Fuchsia]

Yesterday I watched the Great Tits picking out the seeds they like and throwing the rest (which was most of it) on the floor. I don't have many seed eating ground feeders so most of it goes to waste. A 'seed rethink' is deffinitely in order! It'll have to be mail order cos you can't get them around here - hope they appreciate it!

Jen

[DoveKeeper]

Hello, I fed the goldfinches through six tube feeders filled with thistle. I put a lot of them out because the house finches discourage the goldfinches from feeding. It was fun to watch one housefinch try and keep six golfinches off his tube feeders. The cheap tube feeders leak and the thistle gets wet. We found the thistle in the tubes to be "Moldy" sometime after they left. Durring their stay we had to fill them up all the time. I am going to the plasics shop and buying seamless tubing and will re-install the pegs in the tubes.

[Bluetail]

Hi Dovekeeper

I think American Goldfinches are terrific birds (even if not quite so pretty as ours!) Is thistle seed is their particular favourite then? It certainly is with European Goldfinches (along with teasle).

Jason

[DoveKeeper]

Hello Jason,
the atracting staple here in New England is Thistle Seed. We have tried the crushed sunflower hears but they seem to gum up the tube and go rancid. It also has brought Red Winged Blackbirds to the tube feeders. It's fun to watch them try and hold on. When the wWd Bull Thistle comes to seed the finches seem to disapear. Or they left because of Mold in the tube feeders. I will wash them out next season at least once and see if that keeps them around a bit longer.
Howie

[Elizabeth Bigg]

We enjoy seeing goldfinches occasionally in our garden, but they ignored the teasles I had grown specially for them and the niger seed (in a dish on the bird table) is not touched. However I have now read that it is important to feed niger seed in a tube feeder designed just for it, and my order for one arrived this morning. Unfortunately I should have ordered an extension to the new pole feeder, so will have to wait until that arrives. My Christmas presents are arriving early thie year!! ;)

[Bluetail]

I feed whole sunflower hearts to mine. The birds bite them into smaller pieces, most of which end up on the lawn. I had wondered about crushing them first, but was afraid that they would go soft and mouldy. Seems like I was right!

I find it pretty essential to clean the feeders regularly. And the birdtable (though I only use that in winter). They get to pick up diseases from visiting birds, which are then easily spread to healthy ones.

Jason

[Bluetail]

I have now read that it is important to feed niger seed in a tube feeder designed just for it
I'll be interested to hear how you (and others) get on with this. I've been thinking about getting a niger feeder, but from comments I've seen elsewhere I gather that success is by no means guaranteed. Of course the problems in those cases could be with the gardens rather than the feeder.

Jason

[Pops_uk]

Hi Elizabeth, the Goldfinches in our garden are going thru the Sunflower hearts at such a rate, I’ve been forced to shop around for a better price. I’ve found reputable local establishment offering them at £23 for 25kg’s how does compare with your supplier?
Regards Glyn.
BTW good luck with the Niger seed feeder, not only does the Goldfinch love them but so do the Siskins.

[k.k.stevenson1]

Hi Elizabeth, the Goldfinches in our garden are going thru the Sunflower hearts at such a rate, I’ve been forced to shop around for a better price. I’ve found reputable local establishment offering them at £23 for 25kg’s how does compare with your supplier?
Regards Glyn.
BTW good luck with the Niger seed feeder, not only does the Goldfinch love them but so do the Siskins.
Hi Glyn .The names Ken i pay 34-00 for my sun hearts .So please send me the address all the best Ken.

[k.k.stevenson1]

Hi Elizabeth, the Goldfinches in our garden are going thru the Sunflower hearts at such a rate, I’ve been forced to shop around for a better price. I’ve found reputable local establishment offering them at £23 for 25kg’s how does compare with your supplier?
Regards Glyn.
BTW good luck with the Niger seed feeder, not only does the Goldfinch love them but so do the Siskins.
Hi Glyn .The names Ken i pay 34-00 for my sun hearts .So please send me the address all the best Ken.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Hi Elizabeth, the Goldfinches in our garden are going thru the Sunflower hearts at such a rate, I’ve been forced to shop around for a better price. I’ve found reputable local establishment offering them at £23 for 25kg’s how does compare with your supplier?
Regards Glyn.
BTW good luck with the Niger seed feeder, not only does the Goldfinch love them but so do the Siskins.

Glyn - I buy them at a local petshop in 1 or 2 kg bags, and the price is £2 per kilo. They did quote me for a 25kg sack, but I didn't make a note of the price - as I buy peanuts and mixed seed in 25kg sacks, and black sunflower seed in 15kg sacks, the thought of another vast quantity to store in the plastic bins in the garage was too much to contemplate at the time. I have not used hearts much so far, but I have emptied a seed feeder, and will be putting it out tomorrow filled with sunflower hearts. If these catch on, then I'll start buying in quantity - and may have to buy a fourth bin.

Can you tell me where your supplier is - I am down near Basingstoke reasonably frequently, as that is where one of my sons (and my 3 grandchildren) live. I might be able to collect a sack while I am there. (Haven't been to Fleet pond yet, but I have not forgotten about it).

[Pops_uk]

Can you tell me where your supplier is - .
Right next to Bird World
Regards Glyn

[k.k.stevenson1]

Glyn - I buy them at a local petshop in 1 or 2 kg bags, and the price is £2 per kilo. They did quote me for a 25kg sack, but I didn't make a note of the price - as I buy peanuts and mixed seed in 25kg sacks, and black sunflower seed in 15kg sacks, the thought of another vast quantity to store in the plastic bins in the garage was too much to contemplate at the time. I have not used hearts much so far, but I have emptied a seed feeder, and will be putting it out tomorrow filled with sunflower hearts. If these catch on, then I'll start buying in quantity - and may have to buy a fourth bin.

Can you tell me where your supplier is - I am down near Basingstoke reasonably frequently, as that is where one of my sons (and my 3 grandchildren) live. I might be able to collect a sack while I am there. (Haven't been to Fleet pond yet, but I have not forgotten about it).
HI Glyn look in WWW.vinehousefarmbirdfoods.co.uk You will find it all in there. allthe best Ken

[Fuchsia]

Ken,
They are the cheapest online sellers I've seen. Delivery included too! My mother (in the uk) will be getting a delivery in the next week - thanks for that :-)

Jen

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Right next to Bird World
Regards Glyn

Do you mean Forest Lodge Garden Centre? It might cost me more than a sack of hearts if I go there - it's a lovely place.

[Pops_uk]

Hi Elizabeth
You’re not wrong about Forest Lodge:-).
Rob Harvey Specialist Feeds (www.robharvey.com) is the next right after the garden center, right again into a short narrow lane, building facing you (call 1st)
£23 for 25kg + £5.95 delivery for Sunflower hearts

With my work I’m about the Home Counties weekly so if you would like me to pick up some for you, it’s not a problem.
Regards Glyn.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Hi Elizabeth
You’re not wrong about Forest Lodge:-).
Rob Harvey Specialist Feeds (www.robharvey.com) is the next right after the garden center, right again into a short narrow lane, building facing you (call 1st)
£23 for 25kg + £5.95 delivery for Sunflower hearts

With my work I’m about the Home Counties weekly so if you would like me to pick up some for you, it’s not a problem.
Regards Glyn.

This is a very kind offer Glyn, and I may well take you up on it. I haven't used hearts very much so far, but I've emptied out the mixed seed in one of my feeders, and it now contains hearts. If the demand is there, then a large sack (particularly at this price) will be on the shopping list, also probably another plastic dustbin for storage!

[paclett]

I don't know if anyone has used the same idea to fill feeders? but here goes. Take either a 2 or 6 pint empty plastic milk bottle, cut from approx 2inch in front of the handle towards the bottom corner diagonally from the handle on both sides, result is scoop that has a handle and a pouring spout, sealable with screw cap one fill just does a feeder,2 pint one does smaller ones. with little or no mess. y pay so much for a proprietry one?
Also good for the distateful little jobs around the garden and the milk comes Free!!

[Fuchsia]

A little update...

Picked up the bags of seed from the UK - feeders full of niger, black sunflower seeds and hearts hanging all over the bird tree. One Goldfinch (my first since Summer) has visited all morning to eat the thistle seed heads on the other side of the house! Maybe I should have just let nature do the job :-)

He's lovely anyway - hope he brings his mates.

Best wishes
Jen :-)

[Bluetail]

I want him back! My Goldfinch numbers have plummeted since the gales blew the leaves off the trees. Max count now is down from c.20 to 6.

Jason

[k.k.stevenson1]

A little update...

Picked up the bags of seed from the UK - feeders full of niger, black sunflower seeds and hearts hanging all over the bird tree. One Goldfinch (my first since Summer) has visited all morning to eat the thistle seed heads on the other side of the house! Maybe I should have just let nature do the job :-)

He's lovely anyway - hope he brings his mates.

Best wishes
Jen :-)
Hi Fuchsia just give the sunflower seeds aweek you will see .They will bring you all the finches.Allthe best Ken .let me know how you get on. o:)

[Fuchsia]

Maybe I can leave a trail from the thistles to the feeders!
Aww Jason, I've got very attached!

Jen :-)