I have been an avid bird watcher for many years. I have a large garden and recently my husband made me a new bird table which is situated at the top of my garden so I can watch the birds come to feed. About a month ago 2 long tailed tits visited the table. I always thought long tails came in flocks so I was very surprised when this pair came time & time again so to encourage them to stay I bought a variety of foodstuff to keep them here. To my amazement they were more interested in the mashed potato I put out daily for the blackbirds!! My long tails are now here all the time feasting on fresh mashed potato. I have also had the pleasure of a pair of bullfinches this year happily bathing in my waterfall. I am truly a well satisfied couch potato now. I have now bought a remote sensor garden cam/video and hope to port the pictures for you to see.
Kathy
Hi Kathy and welcome from me too.
I'd never have thought of mashed potatoes attracting LTT's. I know someone else on the forum (Galatas?) hangs up slices of white bread which they seem to like.
Look forward to seeing your photos/videos.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Yes it is me that puts bread out for LTTs. Mine definitely make a bee-line for it. By a weird coincidence not 10 minutes ago I was just about to put some leftover new potato in the bin when I thought maybe birds would eat it. I'll let you know tomorrow what happens.
My gallery here
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I am wondering if our own left over potatoes are safe for birds if they have been cooked in salt?
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Good point. The ones I have put out were tinned and it lists a tiny amount of salt on the ingedients label.To be precise it says Sodium .02g then Salt Equivalent .04g
Can't imagine that boiling potatoes in salted water would absorb that much, or would it?
I don't know how much is actually absorbed but it certainly improves the taste :)
I will stick to the peanuts that the Long tailed tits seem to enjoy, I'm always wary about putting out our left-overs because of the salt. Has anyone else ever tried soaked dog biscuits, the all in one food, for blackbirds? In fact both blackbirds, dunnocks and the robins seem to really tuck in.
Lot to learn
Thinks . . . "hmmmm , how am I going to hang dog biscuits in the LTT's favourite lilac bush ?" :)
No..No..No.. I meant odd kind of food, as in mashed pots, for feeding different birds, not just the LTT's!! and you soak it well beforehand!!! Perhaps I should have put it in a different "thread" do you call it??
No problem Gaynor. Take no notice of me. I've got my silly head on today :)