It started a year ago when I hung up the first 'tube' it was attached by starling and blackbirds who ate two tubes one after the other. The third one was only half used!
This year when the RSPB offered energy tubes at special rates I quickly ordered quite a few ready for the winter ~ but non of my birds likes them at all. They just ignore them, well the odd bird has a half heated nibble but nothing more.
I also ordered some of the buggy nibbles and they have shared the same fate, not interested!
While this has all been going on the last of the individually sealed round suet cake from last year has all also been shunned.
My birds won't eat suet, which is crazy.
Is last years cake now stale and the birds know it? But what about the new RSPB suet products what can be the reason that cold and starving birds won't give it a look!
David
You've all just reminded me that I've left the suet out - it'll be like a brick in the morning! Up the garden in the dark before watching that Bill Bailey show it will be...
I have noticed in general that suet consumption has slowed down here, the balls just don't go unless I crumble them. I was hoping the Goldcrest would make a start on them the other day but he didn't approve and I haven't seen him since *sigh*
I make my own suet mix now with Atora Beef Suet, sultanas, sunflower hearts and peanut butter. I put them in the garage to set over night then I break them up in the morning.
I bought a big tub of Buggy Nibbles off the RSPB. They do go well but I'm making that tub last! There's plenty else for them to eat out there
I've stopped being as generous with my birds I have to be honest, at one time I had 6 different seed mixes on the go and it was a nightmare remembering who had what and where I put what. Now I just feed the RSPB No Mess Sunflower Mix. They all seem to like it and I've been feeding it for a while now. But saying that consumption of that has slowed recently :-S
Hi Squirrel
I like your idea about picking up birdfood with donations.
I am sure that birdfood has an expiry date too but that is one thing I have never take any notice of.
Even a small rip in a packet of birdfood is not the be all and end all.
Human food has to be wrapped properly and remain germ free
Bird food is different as birds have different digestion systems to us.
Often wondered about birdfood and its capacity to keep for as long as possible
That is a different question to ask on this Forum.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
lol, I won't stop buying bu will use your link in future.
hi dave you seem to have asked the right question i think you must hold the title for the most replyed question on the forum and it has been intresting reading the dishes that people put to gether for the birds thanks dave it has open my eyes on what to feed the birds that come to my garden and hopefully will encourage more birds to visit
Hi Bev,
I sort of hope that it is not finished yet ~ I am carefully watching my birds to see if as the weather gets warmer they start on the suet again. I mentioned I tried to crumble a suet tube and it was like concrete, the hammer made no impact on it so I assume a birds beak would also be a poor tool.
I have been out and 'poked' some of the suet creations and they are still very, very inhospitable to 'beaks'.
I was hoping that without knocking any supplier we could have come up with some answers between us. I am quietly sure that some suet suppliers are better than others and they should be supported and the others made to change their ways.
Bye the way, here is a pretty bird who has just had a good feed!
common redpoll i think how lucky are i have been making up soaked bread atora suet and seeds they seem to be enjoying that but not eating fat balls at the momment as i am back at work now not be able to see much of birds in garden
Every variety of bird that vsits my garden is ravishing the suet pellets - both berry flavour and fruit flavour. I have barely got back in the house before they are squabbling over them, and within minutes they are gone.
Home made suet things untouched, fat balls turning to concrete
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Sparrow, spill the beans, what make of suet pellets do you use as I would like to give my birds what they want and not but what they don't.
Concrete is an apt description!
David, you do realise I have had to go downstairs to look at the packets, and I have a sprained foot. But, anything to oblige. Two sorts at the moment - Guardman and Premium Wild Bird Foods (Suet to Go). I think one came from my local garden centre and the other from a pet food shop.
They will fit in feeders but only if they don't get wet. I put them in my raised mesh trays, ground feeders and on the tables. I also scatter them on the ground for the dunnocks. Every bird from jackdaw to wren has devoured them. One warning - the dog also likes them, so if you have one, beware!
Hi David, you can buy the suet pellets in bulk (15k boxes) on line and they deliver to you. I am sure I put a link earlier in this thread. Buying small packs from garden centres etc. turns it into gourmet dinner at the Ritz cost!
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!