Hi everyone,
Just a quick question about niger seed. I was lucky to have many goldfinches over summer, parents bringing juveniles, and they were clearing my smaller bags of niger rapidly. I bought a large sack of niger seed and they got through most of it over the last 3 to 4 months. I'm currently seeing less goldfinches, but the odd one still turns up but they're less bothered with the niger feeder. I'd read somewhere that once opened, niger seed can lose its natural oils, dry out, and then birds ignore it. Has anyone observed similar? Just wondering if i should start on a new bag of unopened seed if what is left of the large sack (not much) has lost it's appeal. Thanks folks. Neil
Found this site Neil
http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2011/01/top-5-things-to-know-about-niger-seed.html
Hi Neil, if you don't know what to do with the link Wendy, has given I have made it a little easier for you click on the link below.
WHEN NIGER SEED DRIES OUT, BIRDS WON'T EAT IT
Jim
Thanks JB, wish I was clever like you! Lol
If you had been playing around with computers and repairing them Wendy, you might have known more then me I still have my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and even repaired those.
Thanks Wendy, i've had a look at the link. Definitely seems to confirm the idea that the niger loses its appeal over time as its oils dry out. A couple of finches showed up today and had a little nibble at the niger, but they definitely aren't as bothered with it, and even ventured on to the table to see what else was being service, which they never do (they normally stick to niger). Might be time to start on a fresh bag and see how that goes. Thanks again!
Thank you Jim! I had a ZX Spectrum 48K as a boy! Many happy memories :-)