Hi folks
I know I'm a regular poster on this fab forum, but I'm still quite new to this bird watching and have so much to learn.
During the cold weather I left most things out for the birds and was rewarded by loads of visitors- my favourite being the LTTs.
Now it's warmer I seem to get less visitors and the peanuts and fat/suet don't seem to be going.
The Blackbirds are regular visitors and I am preparing for some BB fledglings soon.
What is the best thing to leave out for them? Mealworms? I'm not sure what these are or where to get them.
Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks
Pipit x
Unknown said: Hi folks I know I'm a regular poster on this fab forum, but I'm still quite new to this bird watching and have so much to learn. During the cold weather I left most things out for the birds and was rewarded by loads of visitors- my favourite being the LTTs. Now it's warmer I seem to get less visitors and the peanuts and fat/suet don't seem to be going. The Blackbirds are regular visitors and I am preparing for some BB fledglings soon. What is the best thing to leave out for them? Mealworms? I'm not sure what these are or where to get them. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks Pipit x
Hi there`i have resident Blackbirds in big old fir tree in the front garden and they love suet pellets as do most of the other birds like Starlings Bluetits whilst all the Finches eat Sunflower Hearts and the Nuthatch eats those too.Dried mealworms are also very popular! Have a look at Kennedy Wild bird food.
Hi Pipit
You would expect to see fewer birds this time of the year, as most of them are still in their breeding territories, and so you will not get the large flocks travelling through gardens from one feeding site to another. Having said that, with the starlings already fledged, it is possible to get the noisy rabble of the starling 'teenagers' with their parents visiting en masse, and you can be lucky to come across a family party of tits any time from now on. Another month to six weeks, and you start to see finch flocks again.
Many people find that fat, suet and peanuts are taken less than in the winter months. This is largely because this time of the year birds instinctively search out foods high in protein (insects) instead.
Your blackbirds should be OK as long as the ground stays moist enough to give them access to earthworms. Later in the summer when the ground is drier, the worms go deeper in the soil, beyond reach of the birds. This is the time when they most appreciate food put out by us. Mealworms (beetle larvae) both live and dried, are a good food to offer. The dried ones are best soaked to rehydrate them before putting them out to make sure the youngsters get adequate liquid in their diet. Other suitable foods would be fruit such as apples, pears and plums, as well as sultanas and raisins, but again, soak these overnight rather than give them dry.
Thanks folks
Really helpful answers. I will do ask you suggest.
Lots of visitors to look forward to too.
Thanks :)))
Hello Pipit
Everything Trochilus is obviously good advice. I'm finding, however, that fat blocks (not fat balls) are proving incredibly popular with a variety of birds especially starlings but also the tit family, robins and blackbirds. These blocks which are not cheap come embedded with a variety of treats including dried mealworms, currants and insects.
I've got one hanging in front of my kitchen window and here's a few pics to show you the enthusiasm for them.
Sunflower hearts are still popular with the finches. I've also bought for the first time live mealworms. Again these are a big hit with the starlings but robins and the tits have ignored them. I've even had a magpie taking them out of the tray attached to my window but I haven't managed to get a photo of him yet as he's too wary.
The least popular food is the fat balls. I bought a tub of them in the winter and I've still got at least half of them. I don't think I'm going to bother with again.
Hope this helps
Regards TJ
____________________________________________________________________
Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Thanks TJ
Very helpful answer as ever and super action pics.
Where do you get your fat blocks please? I'm not sure if I could hack handling live mealworms but I suppose I should ask where you get those from too.
Thanks xxx
P x
Unknown said:Where do you get your fat blocks please? I'm not sure if I could hack handling live mealworms but I suppose I should ask where you get those from too.
I got the last lot of fat block treats from the RSPB. They do a value pack of twelve but it's still quite expensive especially at the rate they are being demolished. In the past I've bought them from GardenBirds.com.
I got the mealworms from Worms Direct - a very good next day service. I bought a tub and they were in very good condition. I just add a some fruit like bits of apple or banana skin which gives them the moisture they need to keep them going.
Hi TJ
I did say in my post that many people find that fats are taken less in the summer time - we get regular enquiries from people who find that their fat balls are getting ignored. This does not happen everywhere, as many others on these forums can testify. Even the fat block feeders outside our office windows get regular attention all year round. Birds are curious creatures and they definitely have not only their own individual habits and preferences, but even some regional fashions about foods. Consequently, in some neighbourhoods a particular feed is strongly favoured, but practically ignored a few miles down the road. Your fat balls are a good example of this - in some gardens they would not last long at all. All this goes to show that no piece of feeding advice is relevant in each and every situation. When it comes to exact foods, it is worth trying out a variety of different feeds and then stick with those that the local birds prefer.
Hi Trochilus
You are absolutely right. Birds are contrary little creatures. I was surprised though that even in the depths of winter the fat balls were not popular. It may have been that sunflower hearts which were also available provided a more nutricious diet. They were always popular with practically all the birds including the overwintering blackcaps.
I get my fat blocks anywhere now depending on how much time I have at the weekend. If you look at any Garden Centre they have a range of bird food worth looking at even it is a small private one
B&Q sell RSPB products/Fat Blocks at the going RSPB rate. The only thing with B&Q they tend not to sell so much bird food over the warmer months so bird food is not repellenised on the shelves. Still it is worth a look as the RSPB have a great range of products in the store.
Tesco sell their own alternative product. The Mealworms are cheap to buy and come in small sizes. I have not seen fat blocks in there though.
How about Fat coconuts?
Regards
Kathy and Dave