Over the last week or so I have noticed a reduction in the amount of food being eaten from my ground feeder - I'm guessing partly because of the weather and partly because I put a ground guard up which is stopping the woodpigeons from getting it all! Just wondering what you guys put out on the ground in the spring/summer, if you put anything. So far I am considering dried mealworms and CJ's All Seasons mix when my current mix runs out, but am open to any suggestions!
Hi Somethingofadreamer,
I usually chuck some Robin blend and a few mealworms around the cotoneaster shrub for my groundfeeders.I also chop up some bananas and grapes I put them in a plastic dish the blackbird likes that.
Littleowl
I use a no mess/no grow seed mix plus suet pellets and peanut granules for my ground feeders and sprinkle it all over the garden.I also chuck it right under bushes as this seems to deter the woodpigeons and starlings as they tend to stay in the open but lets the shyer birds have a chance. It also means that I don't have a lot of sprouting seeds all over the place!
It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
I also scatter suet pellets and mealworms under the bushes, but my starlings know this and are first there - diving down from the top of the bush to the bottom then back up again.
My blackbirds are getting used to using the trays mounted on the fence rather than the ground.
Cheers, Linda.
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Starlings do find the stuff on the ground but I find they tend to use the mounted trays first as these usually have more food they can see easily They also seem to come in flurries during the day and then you don't see them for a while but the little birds hide till they have gone and then come out for their turn!
Hi dreamer,
I'm a newbie and have been accussed of being obsessional about feeding my birds. Basically I've "thrown" everything at them. The only seed mix I've used that is all eaten is the RSPB Ground Mix (do I get a discount for advertising LOL). Robins, blackbirds, wagtails seem to lurve it. My starlings too start on my pole before descending to ground level.
I've been using dried mealworms since we had all that snow but now we don't seem to be getting frosts overnight, have started to "reconstitute" them by soaking in hot water b4 I put them out - I'm a bit dubious about any nestlings being fed the dried as they can't drink BUT the starlings do seem to prefer them wet. I also feed live ones and as long as I keep them under a sanctuary AND I've got a pot that the starlings havn't found yet BUT the blackbirds have, the starling go for the soaked dried.
About 3 weeks ago I had far more blackbirds (9) then I've got now (2) - something to do with territories, breeding etc I think but as I say am new to this, I'm hoping for more attendees when nestlings arrive - other people have commented on the sharp reduction in visitors too. I phoned the RSPB and they seem to think that its due to the heavy snows which held everything back and now its all cleared the plants etc are all coming through at the same time rather than would gradually happen usually and this has affected the birds too.
I havn't tried CJ seed mixes but have bought other products from them and have been very satisfied with their service.
Sorry not to be of more help.
Lyndsey
I didn't get to be stupid by being blonde, I was stupid enough to pay to be blonde!!!
Some great answers here! I tend to scatter food on a ground feeding tray well clear of cover to avoid lurking cats. By spacing the food out out can help to reduce competition between birds and more of them can feed at any one time. grated or crushed peanuts are ok scattered in the borders to attract shyer species like dunnocks and wrens. The key thing is never letting food accumulate as it can potentially attract a few undesirable species such as rats and mice. only put out an amount which will taken that day and alternate different feeding area's where ever possible.
Lyndseypops - It is understandable to expect that you'll perhaps have less visitors in the garden at the moment as many species will disperse into breeding territories and the wider countryside. Also they begin to take avantage of the increasing level of natural foods as spring gets well under way. That said, it is also important to acknowledge the aftermath of a prolonged cold winter such as we've seen can cause a dint in some songbird populations. However, this is a normal natural process and one which such populations enevitably balance up again hastily in virtue of their high breeding potential!
Does anyone else soak their dried mealworm before putting them out? This wouldn't be very easy for me to do at the moment as I have mixed them with the rest of my ground mix. It doesn't say on the tub to soak them. And if baby birds cannot eat dried foods, shouldn't we stop putting all seed mixes, etc out at this time of year? Confused! I have been sprinkling them on the ground which is pretty soggy at the mo so hopefully that is helping... any further answers much appreciated!
HI somethingofadreamer
I soak mine over night, only because I'm rushed to do it in the morning. I believe if they are soaked then it is easier for the nestlings to eat them and digest and also gives them hydration at the same time. Dried mealworms are okay and adult birds will take them that way for themselves - unsoaked they tend to crumble really easily. By providing seed during the breeding months proves invaluable to the parents. They will tend to feed the live food to the nestlings but use the seed food to supplement their own diet.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
make sure your garden is alright for all things liveing need ground cover thick bushes and un disturbed plot dont kill tyhe sluge let the birds and frogs do it s for you
the friedly bid watcher