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Message: <blockquote data-quote="A CHAPLIN" data-source="post: 1259878" data-attributes="member: 5088">Hi Beckysmon, Sunflower hearts are the no.l preferred food in my garden especially by the Goldfinches. I had a feeder full of nijer seed untouched and it was the Goldfinches who first found the hearts when I first tried them.  I agree they are the most expensive seeds. If you can find a local corn mill or somewhere selling food for farm animals (phone first to save a journey) they often sell food for birds as well and are a lot cheaper. Someone at work told me about the corn mill I use and I buy hearts in 12.5 kg bags, they also have 2 kg. bags of everything which is useful for trying different seeds. I now buy what the birds eat and mix them myself or hang them in individual feeders out of the way for shy feeders. I have a Woodpigeon who eats out of the black sunflower feeder, it sits on one branch (wraps itself round somehow). I am glad so far it has not worked out how to get at the hearts as it can empty the feeder at one sitting and black sunflowers are a lot cheaper. Hope you get a garden bird book soon and can identify the birds. If you have the time there are lots of photos on the garden bird forum and on the RSPB website. Ann :egghead:</blockquote>