We have a local mob of a dozen starlings that keep coming to our feeders and clearing out all the suet pellets & mealworms that our resident population of BlueTits seem to also favour. We also put out fat balls in a metal cage, Niger seed in a special feeder, peanuts & mixed seed all of which do not seem to get much attention. In an attempt to allow the smaller birds a greater chance of getting their favorite food, I have tried a propriatory feeder with a protection cage but this has not stopped the starlings getting access. I just wondered if anyone has any thoughts about providing the Bluetits with suet pellets and mealworms in such a way that the starlings cannot easily rob them all. I have seen a plastic feeder with an ajustable umberella type cover for this sort of thing but at least half of the dozen or more on display were already broken.
I do not wish to deny the starlings food at all and I would continue to provide them with some that they could accesss. I just feel that I would like to give the smaller birds a more secure source as well.
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I find the starlings are very skitish and don't like my pesence in the garden , the blackbirds, robins tits and pigeons continue feeding even when i'm pottering about. Hope this helps