I thought I'd resurrect these threads since we're all buying new feeders. We came from here (I THINK): http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/807898/#new
Last year Pelletory told me about the upside down finch feeder. My goldfinches loved it, but I had some sunflower hearts in it too and the squirrels did a number on it. So this summer Pelle said that there was a version with metal…
I did find it and the piggies love it just as much.
Had to move our 'basket' feeder to a beech tree this yr as the branch on the oak had to be removed. So far the usual crowd, chickadees, tufted timice, wb nuthatches & downies. Did have a hairy this morning & blue jays are working the ground underneath.
Thanks for the new thread Mrs Ed. I'll have to see if I can get some new pics tomorrow.
Thanks Pelle, I know you have a new feeder!
Man, I want that feeder....
i couldn't find it locally, though it was online. I found it at the bird store down there by you (sorta).
Hi everyone. Thought I'd bump this because I need your help.
I'd like to include some birdfeeders in an upcoming article for Dave's Garden. So if you would be interested in sharing your photos for this, please post here. I'll notify you by Dmail if I want to use something.
Ok here I go. First is a combo bird/squirrel feeder. The screw is for dried whole corn.
It is held in place with wire ties, no damage to the tree.
Platform feeder on the remainder of the birch.
The two together
My favorite finch feeder. So easy to clean.
Another thistle/sunflower chip feeder back in my WMA ha ha
I really dont like this one, the No No feeder. It will hold me over until I get to the WBU or shop online.
I am interested in the Squirrel Buster Mini. Then it goes back in the shed where it belongs!
I heart my tray feeder! Of course it has a baffel below.
And finally, another platform. I fill the holes on the left with peanut butter for all to enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed my yard with me. GM PS I also have 4 hummer feeders up during warmer months.
Here is the Squirrel Buster Mini feeder.It's a great feeder the only problem for me with it is that I have so many House Finch they empty it in no time. Otherwise I love it.
We have replaced our tube feeder with one which is pictured in grandmaggie's first picture. We have found that it is easier to clean & store. Since the branch on the oak died & had to be removed we have moved the feeder to a branch on a beech tree farther from the tree trunk. No squirrels as yet, but no snow covering acorns which are plentiful this yr.
I'm new to bird feeding & just installed my first one a week ago.But the birdseed is flying all over the place. At least 50% ends up on the ground. What's the best bird feeder design to reduce this spillage?
What birds are you looking to attract?
I guess I didn't know you could attract different birds with different feeders. Right now, there are a lot of little brown wrens coming by. I really don't know what other kinds are in the middle of the city. Except crows, & pigeons - and I don't want either of those. Nor do I want the parrots that are starting to show up.
Jo-Ann
Jo-Ann,
Well the first thing I would do is to buy only black oil sunflower seed or a more expensive mix. You see a good deal of spillage with cheaper mixes as they toss out what they don't want. Unfortunately, this seed creates a mess with shells all over the place — the upside is that that kind of seed attracts the widest variety of birds.
I think the feeder you have will do nicely, it allows large and small birds to feed. You might want to try a tube feeder as well, but my favorite is a platform feeder.
I like sunflower kernels or chips (no shell) as the seed in my main feeders. I finally got disgusted with all the shells all over the ground killing the grass.
I would say a feeder without a tray on it would be better. A large tube feeder that both medium and small birds can perch on.
I use a mix that mainly contains large seeds or nuts in my platform feeder.
I'll start a thread about bird seed mixes.
Ms_Ed,
Thanks so much for the info. The seed mix I have is labeled "Deck & Patio Blend" with no seed hulls. The clerk told me this kind would not sprout which is what I waned over my garden Now I'll just enjoy the birds & keep a broom handy.
Jo-Ann.
Deck and Patio is a very nice mix.
Since my yard is all brick, I didn't want shells all over the place.
I use Patio Mix from the Wild Bird Center.
It's not cheap - about $31 for a 20 lb bag. (After 9 bags, the 10th is free) There's no waste - the birds eat everything.
Now if I could only teach them better bathroom manners.
:o)
Nancy
LOL nancy! I wish the same thing.
I have a nuthatch that I think is in cahoots with the squirrels. He picks up a seed at a time and discards it over the side of the feeder.
My newest platform feeder...a few pieces of wood across the corner of the fence. The piggies found it immediately!
Goldfinches and a Pine Siskin!
here is a shot of the platform feeder full this afternoon...
I picked up the plastic upside down feeder today to replace the sock for the cold wet winter.
they took right to it!
These bird feeders are made of old Holden hub caps, what do you reckon? only cost was the chains.
The birds are a Eastern Rosella & White headed Dove.
cool feeders!
Those are neat!
Here's a new one I got yesterday at WBU (but don't see it on their site)
It's from Heritage farms, Vista double-sided, squirrel-proof feeder.
http://www.duncraft.com/Heritage-Farms-Vista-Squirrel-Proof--P2237C0.aspx
This message was edited Nov 9, 2008 12:14 PM
And here's one from a month ago. I've put pepper suet in here and safflower. Since it is low to the ground, the squirrels would rob anything else in there.
I am noticing that a lot of seed falls out of the bottom of the plastic version of the upside down feeder. does that happen with the metal version too. Thistle is too expensive to waste. My search for the best finch feeder continues....
Hi nany, Make sure the notches at the bottom are in nthe slots then just to be extra careful put a rubberband or something similiar around the bottom to hold it tight.
aahhhh....okay. will give it a try
I noticed that early on so thats what we did and I haven't had a problem since. Mine have some of my old skinny ponytail holders around them. :-)
