I know other members have posted about types of feeders that are dangerous for birds but I can't find the posts - so I am starting a new thread. This photo was posted by a person called Lisa Dunn on Facebook today (I saw it via a share in the British Wildlife photography page):
The original post reads: "Word of warning if you use those fat ball holders...this is what I found when I went to feed the birds this morning. The feeder came free in a box of fat balls from peckish bird food.. It's a yellow plastic box and you can get them in lots of places including ocado, garden centres etc."
There is also a warning to remove netting from fatballs - apparently lots of birds have been trapped on it and were found frozen by heartbroken birders next day.
The original link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/646428738755292/permalink/1289216547809838/ but one has to be a member of the group to see it.
My Gallery
"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way." John Muir
What a shocking thing to happen, the graphic photo really spells out the dangers of unsuitable and dangerous feeders. I do wonder why feeders are not checked for safety (as happens with childrens toys) before being put on sale to the public. I read this review via Amazon website which is talking about the same gift pack you mention here Marina.
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Regards, Hazel
It's horrific ... I would have been devastated to come out and see a thing like this. There are at least three birds trapped and frozen ... Thank you for the reference to the review - I will post it on the Wildlife photography page for people to see.
I had a net feeder some years ago but starlings used to get their toes stuck and ended up hanging upside down - so I got rid of it. I had a couple of birds also stuck on the guardman mesh tray feeders - I've not yet found a suitable substitute for them too. I now use only RSPB feeders - their newest with the click button are superb. You are right about the safety checks - they also do them to the pet toys these days. Maybe an admin from RSPB will see this thread and make a report .... fingers crossed.
So much for thinking Westland had withdrawn the feeder from its product HERE
That's heartbreaking to see,so upsetting,but the more people that see this the better.Let's hope these feeders will be withdrawn as soon as possible-thanks for drawing attention to this hazard Marina
Jayne
See my Flickr photos here.
There have been no withdrawals - that is my concern too. Looks like they 'stopped' producing / importing the product (probably as they had too many complaints) but they haven't withdrawn it - which shows the concern they have for the birds .... Such a shame.
One more unsuitable accessory, squirrel cages. Apparently hundreds of squirrels get trapped in it and die ...
Some really horrific images there Marina, I stopped using fat balls covered with net a few years ago now after reading how the birds would get stuck on them, but those feeders need banning straight away. The sight of the red squirrel stuck in the cage is once again bringing home how creatures have to find food and to what lengths they go to get at said food. I suppose that cage will keep out the grey squirrel but of course not the smaller red, we humans are not their best friends after all.
Lot to learn
How saddening these images are, and to know I still see fat balls sold in nets.
Apparently greys get caught in cages too Gaynor. I don't use them - I like squirrels. The discussion in the other forum concluded that the only safe 'anti-squirrel' feeder to use is the new RSPB squirrel buster feeder. I think it's worth spreading awareness about what these contraptions can do - better see some horrific images than see the 'real' horror in one's back garden I think.
PS I am still concerned about the Guardman mesh seed trays I am using - I've had two young starlings hanging from them as they trapped a claw in the mesh. Thankfully both got free in the end but if a cat got to them before I did there would be blood .... Can't find an alternative though - any suggestions welcome!