Forums
Birdwatching
Quick find code: 23-24-1-64115821
It is up to you. They'll probably come to the feeders once you stop feeding on the off chance, but won't spend all day hanging around. Slowly decrease the amount so they get used to foraging more. I'm fairly sure that whoever told you that you need to keep feeding as they'll become dependent is wrong..
I volunteered at an RSPB reserve and they feed only the winter months for some spots, and stop in spring. In the garden which is mostly for the kids they keep them topped up though.
When it comes to the breeding season I buy a bag of meal worms and put some out occasionally. Still got plenty left in the bag I bought this year. I also feed sunflower hearts and peanuts from a feeder but don't top them up religiously just every few weeks the peanuts don't even get emptied usually. Don't put out whole peanuts at breeding time or other large food as it is a choking hazard (may seem obvious but ya know).
If you can afford to don't cheap out on the food, but also don't pay the top RSPB prices as it is just too expensive if the birds eat through the food quickly
I buy mine online from a firm called brinvale bird food. Order before 3pm and order weighs over 10kg free next day delivery the quality is excellent and the prices are very good.
In fact I was just totting up the cost of what I'm intending to buy. @£125 .
that's 100 fat balls
15kg of suet pellets
20kg of peanuts
25kg of sunflower hearts
Should last a while as i don't always top one up when it gets empty and might let them eat down a bit of the others. Sunflowers go first always, and I'd recommend spending a little extra and getting them.
Apart from the sunflowers and maybe the suet pellets it should last a year.
Just the hearts and peanuts and fat balls would be more than adequate tbh, but I tend mix a bit of each with some cheap stuff for scattering on the ground.
Another reminder for everybody water is equally important, especially in winter
I volunteered at an RSPB reserve and they feed only the winter months for some spots, and stop in spring. In the garden which is mostly for the kids they keep them topped up though.
When it comes to the breeding season I buy a bag of meal worms and put some out occasionally. Still got plenty left in the bag I bought this year. I also feed sunflower hearts and peanuts from a feeder but don't top them up religiously just every few weeks the peanuts don't even get emptied usually. Don't put out whole peanuts at breeding time or other large food as it is a choking hazard (may seem obvious but ya know).
If you can afford to don't cheap out on the food, but also don't pay the top RSPB prices as it is just too expensive if the birds eat through the food quickly
I buy mine online from a firm called brinvale bird food. Order before 3pm and order weighs over 10kg free next day delivery the quality is excellent and the prices are very good.
In fact I was just totting up the cost of what I'm intending to buy. @£125 .
that's 100 fat balls
15kg of suet pellets
20kg of peanuts
25kg of sunflower hearts
Should last a while as i don't always top one up when it gets empty and might let them eat down a bit of the others. Sunflowers go first always, and I'd recommend spending a little extra and getting them.
Apart from the sunflowers and maybe the suet pellets it should last a year.
Just the hearts and peanuts and fat balls would be more than adequate tbh, but I tend mix a bit of each with some cheap stuff for scattering on the ground.
Another reminder for everybody water is equally important, especially in winter
27-Oct-2014 21:46:10 - Last edited on 27-Oct-2014 21:49:44 by Wilf
It sounds even more like a great spot
.
Don't even have sparrows here which I think is a shame, but just up there road I did have an area of hedgerow with tree sparrow present. Do you know if you get them as they are in decline nationally?
Hobby Owl? I'm assuming that is oldish name for what is now just called a Hobby. Like pewit = lapwing
Where we are working currently has plenty of house sparrows that keep me amused when things are a bit slow though.
Not had rats here (well no sign of them) for a number of years now. A period of trapping got to the stage where nothing was being caught.
Have you tried a little plate/board on the floor for them to feed off? I know here the dunnocks don't go on to the table.
.
Don't even have sparrows here which I think is a shame, but just up there road I did have an area of hedgerow with tree sparrow present. Do you know if you get them as they are in decline nationally?
Hobby Owl? I'm assuming that is oldish name for what is now just called a Hobby. Like pewit = lapwing
Where we are working currently has plenty of house sparrows that keep me amused when things are a bit slow though.
Not had rats here (well no sign of them) for a number of years now. A period of trapping got to the stage where nothing was being caught.
Have you tried a little plate/board on the floor for them to feed off? I know here the dunnocks don't go on to the table.
28-Oct-2014 17:24:38 - Last edited on 28-Oct-2014 17:26:24 by Wilf
Quick find code: 23-24-1-64115821 Back to Top