Hi everyone -
I appreciate the garden birds are wild and feeding them provides a supplementary food source...but I've noticed a litte queue form in the mornings when I put their food out ( we take their food in at night ). The birds seem to have got into the routine. ..
Now...we're planning to go away for a week..maybe two. We have hanging feeders so that's okay for the tits, finches. I'm just thinking of our ground / table feeders - I don't want to leave heaps of food out on their trays on the ground or bird tables whilst we're away as it gets grubby, rats etc. We did try suspending mini feeders from the top of their ground cages when we went away for a weekend...it was mostly depleted and pretty grubby when we got back. I know they'll survive...I just feel responsible for starting something and feel I should be consistent.
Neighbours would probably oblige but not when I tell them how often I clean their trays...
So...the crux of the question is...do you reckon it's the better to just not leave out ground/table food whilst we're away.? Any tips, thoughts, sage advice much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Ange
Have to say I don't leave ground food out when we are away and it has never affected the visitors to my garden.They just sit on the fence when we return and shout hey guys she's back and they all come flocking.
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi Ange!
I agree with JudiM - they will come back!
When we go away we leave the hanging seed and nut holders full - but it obviously wouldn't last a full fortnight.
When we return the seed feeders are always empty - but there are normally some peanuts left. It takes perhaps a few days for the birds to return to what is known as the Rhydowen Bird Restaurant (or Di's Diner!!) - but they always come back.
We don't often use ground feeders (only in the really bad snowy weather) as the smaller birds here (especially siskins and chaffinches) seem to spill as much on the ground as they eat! That gets scoffed immediately by the other less adventurous, smaller ground feeding birds and anything that gets left - the hedgehogs enjoy at night time!!
Hope that might be of help?
Good luck
Best wishes
Diana
Hi Diana and JudiM and thanks for the swift ( excuse the bird pun) responses...I will just leave the seed feeders out and leave the ground feeding for when we get back ...without guilt!
Job done!