Bird feeding
Last post 01-01-2009 3:28 PM by Clematis. 67 replies.
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12/11/2008 04:39 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,971
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I should think so too! I can't abide *** ends being flung down all over the place. Those buckets can also be used for containers if you make holes in the bottom - not pretty but they're a good size.
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12/11/2008 04:40 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,971
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Tsk...okay I meant 'dog' ends. Honestly...
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12/11/2008 05:16 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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ha ha ha - WE knew what you mean Miranda! and nice ploy Sue1002! I've got a nice BIG ashtray in the greenhouse, for when I'm up there a long time!
Would you believe it - sod's law - wilko's had no tubs today, I think the shop is concentrating more on the xmassy stuff. They didn't have any of those little envelopes either Sue - I was really dissapointed, mind you the queues were absolutely Horrendous at the tills!
Anyway back to birds - we've STILL got the ducks - I've given in, and been throwing them bread - whether or not I will still feel like that, if they're still around in the spring munching on the marginals will probably be a different story! They are also giving Portia a run for her money - literally! They are driving her nuts and she keeps running round and round the perifery of the pond - good job she doesnt like water!
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12/11/2008 05:39 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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I got caught out with that one Miranda a few months ago when I tried to use it. That's bad luck not being able to get the fat balls and envelopes Susiq, I would have thought that this time of year there should be loads of tubs available unless everyone's had the same idea and got there before you. Portia must be really frustrated with the ducks, I take it she wants to grab hold of one?
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13/11/2008 10:44 AM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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I went in Wilkos this morning and they have lots of tubs piled up high at the end of the aisle where the bird feed is but I couldn't find the little envelopes, the ones I got before I picked up during the summer.
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13/11/2008 11:34 AM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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3,347
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I'd filled a tube feeder with fat balls when I started this thread - I had to refill it yesterday. I'll have to find some reasonably priced ones, or I won't be able to keep feeding all winter.
We had a great tit on their this morning, but I think it's mainly starlings scoffing them all.
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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13/11/2008 02:40 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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It's mainly the starlings here that scoff all the fat balls too, the shop bought ones usually last two or three days but the home made ones need re-stocking every day.
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13/11/2008 03:29 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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I've just had a 'bit of a do' with the RSPB, I'd ordered some more feeder mix towards the end of October, which still hasn't arrived. I chased it up on Monday and they gave me the parcel no. with DHL to chase it up. Anyway, I've rang DHL everyday since Monday and looks like its lost. I rang RSPB today to complain, not about the lost parcel, but their lack of customer care in not chasing it up themselves nor keeping me informed - they have apologised and said they'd send another sack today. What is it with these (big) charities? We try to support them and they just seem to be so lacking - hmmph!
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13/11/2008 05:02 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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Hope you get your delivery soon Susiq. I always thought it was down to the sender to find out where missing parcels are rather than the recipient.
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14/11/2008 02:15 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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My point exactly Sue, anyway the latest is that DHL have definately lost the parcel and the RSPB are sending out a replacement! Just as well, as there's hardly any seed left, they seem to be going thru' it like no tomorrow at the moment. The woodpecker has been on the peanut feeder every morning this week - I got a photo, from the lounge window, but its too far away to see it properly!
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14/11/2008 03:19 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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Hope you get the delivery before you run out completely Susiq.
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14/11/2008 03:59 PM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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3,347
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We've had crows today. I put out the skin and fat from a cooked chicken. The magpies came for it, but the crows came in and mobbed them. It was like a scary wildlife documentary!
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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15/11/2008 04:52 AM
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Good to start such a thread, Phot's_Moll. It is very timely!! I must admit that I don't actually put out a bunch of bird feeders but I do have a lot of plants that are for the birds' pleasure. I have a number of hollies, dogwoods, Callicarpa (Beautyberry), viburnum, red barberry (berberis thumbergii), lirope, and Acuba, all of which have berries for the winter birds, mostly Cardinals, sparrows, doves and robins (they do hang out here). The Gray Cat-birds (the name is now officially with "Gray" as I just found out that there is a black species of Cat-bird from Mexico) seem to be scarce in winter as they feed on ground insects and fallen berries more than seed collectors. I also have Indian grass (Sorghastrum m mutans) and Calamagrostis x acutiflora "Karl Foerster" (another great grass with plumes that offer seeds). These the Cardinals and Goldfinches like. The Cardinals go for seeds in winter, and I have a single plastic bird feeder that is supposed to be squirrel-proof outside during winter only. The seed mix is mostly sunflower seeds with millet of sorts. Here's a link to the birdsong of Cardinals for your listening pleasure!! This is why they are such a blessing in winter: http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=3
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15/11/2008 12:32 PM
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Hi all, i normally buy a wild bird seed mix from the local shops, but its full of either maize or wheat which just gets dumped on the ground below the feeders, so i wondered which suppliers forum members used for there mixes?
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15/11/2008 01:49 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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I either get the wild bird seed mix from a market stall, Wilkinsons or Pets at Home and all of them have wheat in, and none of the seeds go to waste, whatever gets left over from the smaller birds, the collared doves and pigeons eat the rest.
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