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Siskins prefer niger seed! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Elizabeth Bigg
- Start date
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
scampo said:
Steve - I can't (quickly) find the thread where I posted the picture of the new feeder, so here it is again. We have had it since November, and although we regularly have 2 or more squirrels in the garden, they haven't conquered this one (yet). :eek!:
In the background you can see the bird table with the baffle - this has defeated them for 13 years. You can't get one just like this any more, but the usual suppliers of bird food etc have something similar.
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scampo
Steve Campsall
Thanks very much, Elizabeth, that looks pretty clever. shall have a good look around for something similar, or even construct one myself (doesn't look too complex). I'm always bothered about feeding squirrels because a friend has convinced me they eat more eggs and chicks than any current predator.
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
scampo said:
I hope you'll show a photo if you go for the DIY option - this sort of question tends to recur, and we really could do with a "sticky" on this topic or an FAQ section. So far we have not had a problem with squirrels and eggs/chicks in spite of having two bluetit boxes, and a successful open box for robins one year. The problem last year was a great spotted woodpecker - it took 3 of the 5 chicks in one of our bluetit boxes.
scampo said:
Hi Elizabeth,
I recently overheard a mum or dad informing their young child that 'The squirrels won't eat the peanuts if you take the shells off'. I don't have any squirrels in my garden to test the theory, so I pass it on to you, just in case you feel you want to give it a try.
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
Ruby said:
Why not empty them out and scatter them on the ground - or will this just be squirrel fodder then? I use the food processor to chop peanuts, as they are one of the ingredients in the fat ball mixture I make regularly. Last year I only had peanuts in the usual metal mesh feeders, and that is what the siskins used. My peanut feeders are not being used much at the moment - the great spotted woodpecker comes down every so often and has a good tuck-in.
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
Mike D said:
Did she or he mean the outer husk that contains two peanuts - I'm confused here!! The ones I buy in 25kg sacks are shelled already, of course. And if it was the brown covering on the nuts..........................!!!
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
Hi Ruby - in normal circumstances the peanuts don't last long enough to go horrid. For some reason they are not very popular at the moment, so I have taken in a couple of feeders, and I'm only partially filling the others.
songbird6666
Registered User
At last - my first siskin since the summer appeared today, a little female. She perched in the lilac bush outside the kitchen window, checked out all the feeders there, and then flew over to the bushes. Hope she comes back with her mate tomorrow. I normally have one male and two females here all year round, and was beginning to think they had gone for good. When they are here, they aren't picky what sort of feeder they have, wire, red plastic, green plastic, they eat from any type.
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
Hi songbird - do you have niger seed for them - this is definitely their favourite right now, with the odd sunflower heart nibble.
songbird6666
Registered User
Yes thanks Elizabeth - I have persisted with niger seed despite it being untouched for weeks (not the same stuff I hasten to add, keep changing it for fresh) so here's hoping - I originally did it hoping to entice a goldfinch or two, and I planted lots of teasels nearby but no luck so far. I have sunflower hearts too, in fact there isn't much I don't have! I shall keep my eyes peeled tomorrow!
(I get my niger from any of the three local petshops I go to, all of them sell it bagged for around £1 - £1.50)
(I get my niger from any of the three local petshops I go to, all of them sell it bagged for around £1 - £1.50)
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Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
AnnieW said:
I've discovered that my local pet shop sells it - but the price is ridiculous! I bought some from Garden Bird Supplies when I bought a second niger feeder and I think I shall continue using them - their carriage charge is only £2 (the lowest I've found from several mail order suppliers), and the service is excellent - they guarantee that your order will go out the same day if you order before 11am - and so far I have received everything the following day.
Incidentally, I've decided that I will stick to the Droll Yankee brand of feeders if I buy any more - they are more expensive, but the quality is really excellent.
http://www.gardenbird.com/index.htm
Now amending this, I've just had the new GBS catalogue, and carriage is £2.50 - don't know if I mis-remembered or if it has increased!
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gkrpepper
Well-known member
hi, all
:clap: nice baffle for the feeder. I made one similar made out of a galvanized trash can lid and used it with mixed results. Actually had 2 squirrels that figured out that working together somehow they could manage to get to the feeder. I still don't know how they did it! Anyway, now i have a seperate feeder for them (corn on the cob) and they still raid the ground feeder, but at least they're not destroying my other feeders anymore.
As to the Niger seeds, over here in the States, they're available in every department, pet, and grocery store, even home supply stores. I have about 20 to 30 Gold Finches all day long eating me out of house and home.
Anyway, good yard birding
Gunter
:clap: nice baffle for the feeder. I made one similar made out of a galvanized trash can lid and used it with mixed results. Actually had 2 squirrels that figured out that working together somehow they could manage to get to the feeder. I still don't know how they did it! Anyway, now i have a seperate feeder for them (corn on the cob) and they still raid the ground feeder, but at least they're not destroying my other feeders anymore.
As to the Niger seeds, over here in the States, they're available in every department, pet, and grocery store, even home supply stores. I have about 20 to 30 Gold Finches all day long eating me out of house and home.
Anyway, good yard birding
Gunter
