One of my favourite bird foods is RSPB Peck n' Mix, and I use it all of the time in my new feeder tray on the fence in an attempt to keep the starlings off the tubular feeders on my feeding station. It's not cheap but all of the birds love it. Early in the mornings the tits, blackcaps and robins grab some before the starlings get there.
Today, when I went out just before 8am, I tripped and spilled most of the Peck N' Mix, from the empty cream carton that I use to refill my feeder tray, onto the garden border amongst the low growing shrubs.
I waited about 3 hours and none of the birds were going onto the ground to eat it so I put on my coat and went out with my tweezers and picked up every single piece that I could find! It took me so long that my back is now really painful (I have 2 permanently slipped discs) and I think I have chilblains in my fingers.
OH asked why I did it, and I could only reply that it was because he is the first to complain about how much I spend on bird food. However, I just couldn't bear to see it all get wet and go to waste.
I probably need to get out more. Sigh. :-(
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Woodpecker said: I think Sparrow tipped her niger seed out of her feeder the other day too.
I think Sparrow tipped her niger seed out of her feeder the other day too.
Yes, I did. I took it down to give it a shake, turned it upside down and the top came off. Nyjer seed is VERY tiny and it all fell out on the gravel. I scooped up some of the pile but left the rest, thinking if that doesn't attract a chaffinch, nothing will. Still waiting for the chaffinch!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
I just wanted to say that I have so enjoyed reading this thread. I haven't had any similar seed episodes, and will now leave it to OH, in case I am tempting fate. I am sure though, that what I coudn't clean up with a dustpan and brush, would just be left for any bird/ squirrel/ badger to clean up.
I'm considering putting one of those felt thingies around the low growing conifer in case it happens again....
Chris
Unknown said:Have to say some days I do wonder what the neighbours would make of the garden antics when I'm filling feeders in blizzards etc, lol!
Hi Paul,
Yes I regularly do this too!
Me too, and usually in dressing gown and slippers!
It makes me laugh to think that at a certain time every morning there must be a whole bunch of us traipsing around our gardens in dressing gowns and slippers.
The things we do in order to see these amazing creatures?!
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bramble67/