On 31/12/2014 22:33, Ophelia wrote:
"Spider" wrote in message
...
I hardly like to say it, but if hubby built a sooper dooper(tm) ;~))
birdtable everyone would be happy: the birds would have their own
outdoor restaurant, the garden would regain the mini-greenhouse
thingy, and hubby could have his guttering back *and*, before very
long the shed would have its waterbutt. Simples:~))).
Cheeky, or what?
ROFL I love it! I'll have a wee word ...
I'm wondering now if the word you (or, indeed, I) got in return was
polite;~).
I'll never tell ... ;-)
Now my imagination's working overtime;~)
It was fun to see all the starlings descending though
I haven't
seen
that many here before.
I haven't seen anything like the numbers of starlings I used to see
when I was younger. Even 30yrs ago there were flocks of them locally;
going back to my childhood, there were vast flocks of them. Perhaps
guttering is the way forwards after all.
Who knows perhaps he could be the guttering pioneer )) We do see
huge flocks in the sky doing their wonderful swooping Our guttering
mob are far fewer but still a respectable mob We have been down
hanging the balls all over the place and are starting to get more wee
birds in, although the starlings are trying to protect their gutter )
Well worth protecting, obviously! It's good to know that the little
birds are getting a look-in now.
it is lovely to see them too) They can escape all the bullies)
I use a lot of fatball feeders, and this is my favourite type:-
http://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/our-s...Feeder-Cage/87
I don't think I said, we haven't seen any like that, but will keep any
eye out for them!
No. I haven't seen them for a while. I'll tip you off (in a new
thread) if I see them anywhere.
RG is currently using
a see-through plastic tube type with feeding portals. They can be
bought for seed or mixed foods.
The one we are using for peanuts is a clear tube. Hmmm... I am
sure we
had some that was mainly mesh. Were they the proper ones for
peanuts?
Yes, mesh ones are better in my opinion, as they allow more birds to
feed at once. There's also less chance of the nuts going mouldy in a
mesh feeder. Mouldy nuts can be harmful for birds.
Thanks!!!
Ok we have taken out the peanuts and replaced with seed and the wee
birds have found them. We had a Blue tit and Great tit at the fat
blocks. The sparrows seem to prefer the seed, a black bird in the holly
tree at one of the fat blocks and still the starlings in the gutter
Need to look in the shed (you know, the one with no guttering)
Splutter :~))!
pssst wanna borrow me 'anky, Mrs ? g
E, tha's a wee bit cheeky, our lass! :~)))
because
we are sure we had some of the mesh feeders for the peanuts.
Good luck with that. The grey squirrels either steal or destroy most
of ours, but we see several at a time and they're very bold :~(. I
shall replace the most battered of ours next week. The birds really
need all the help they can get now.
Not had many recently but I expect more will come. I'll keep an eye on
them, especially now we have your excellent advice! Thank you
RG's one is currently holding suet
pellets, sunflower hearts and mealworms (not live ones). This
feeder
is *loved* by all the little birds. We've even seen robins on it
(they adore mealworms), and they usually prefer ground-or-table
feeding.
Another treat I occasionally offer is raw pastry when I've got some
spare. Birds will turn cartwheels for this!:~)) Grated cheese is
enjoyed as well, but not strong cheddar (too salty, I think). Mild
chedder or one of the creamy cheeses always goes down well.
That is news for me! Noted! In the winter especially, I make suet
pastry so ...
Great. They'll love that!:~))
Hope this gives you some ideas.
It most certainly does!! Especially the one about pastry!!
I hope you appreciate that you will
hence forth feed like a pauper while your birds are feasting in
style?:~). Feeding birds is addictive!
LOL I can feel it happening already ...
As always, Spider, thanks for all the great advice) I really
appreciate it!
You're welcome, Ophelia. I should also have said that a reliable
source of fresh water is essential, too. They need it for bathing as
well as drinking.
There are ponds nearby so I think they will be ok for water.
That's good. The birds certainly use our pond. The heron would if it
could ;~).
I must say I wouldn't want a chilly outdoor bath at this time
of year, but it apparently keeps birds' feathers clean and fluffed up
so they can keep themselves warm.
Thank you again))
Delighted to help.
I've often meant to ask you, since you're up in bonny Scotland: do you
have red squirrels up there, or are you plagued by the greys? Do red
squirrels make use of the bird food you put out? ... or steal your
bulbs?
No, just greys. The reds are mainly in the north and west but some in
the borders. We get greys in the garden to feed but not seen them on
the ground, perhaps because our dog wouldn't like that g
Oh. What a shame. It would have been nice if you could have been
enjoying the reds. I'm glad your dog is keeping the greys at bay. I
suspect that a couple of neighbours' dogs are actually the cause of
our mini spate of squirrels. Our cats help a bit during the spring
and summer, but they're both 10yrs old now and getting lazy ... well,
that is about 60yrs in our terms.
Hmm well my dog is nearly 11! I have to say though, lazy she is not!
She will soon give them welly if they dare to come down into her territory!
Sorry I'm late getting back, Ophelia, but the head was complaining due
to the chilly weather and low pressure. Fine now, though:~).
Oh I am sorry
( I hope it stays fine!!! I must admit, it isn't doing
the old arfur any favours either
I can understand that. Arfur is an old 'friend' of mine and is the
cause of many of my migraines. It's the grumpy old bear we all have to
cross.
I will leave you just now with all my best wishes to you and RG, for a
Wonderful New Year and 2015)
And our very best wishes to you and your inventive hubby for a splendid
New Year and a healthy and blossoming year ahead.
ps you know I will be bothering you again for advice next year ... don't
you)) g
I shall miss you if you don't! See you on another thread sometime soon.
Big Hugs!!!
You can't give a hug without getting one back, so new year hugs to you, too.
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay