Bird Feeder Information

There is a huge range of bird feeders on the market from the cheaper versions that last a few years to the more robust Droll Yankee New Generation seed feeders which will last for years and generally come with a life time guarantee. There are three basic types of bird feeders: hanging feeders, window feeders and ground feeders.

Of the hanging bird feeders there are again three basic types: mixed/single seed bird feeders for either of the various seed mixes or for sunflower hearts with their feeders made of clear plastic; peanut feeders which generally have a gauze mess for the birds to peck through to get the peanuts and the niger seed bird feeders which have very fine holes for the niger seed. These niger seed feeders tend to be clear plastic with a yellow tops and bottoms. Nyjer seeds are favoured by Goldfinches.

Sunflower hearts are very popular in attracting birds to the garden and are especially loved by Goldfinches and Greenfinches. Sunflower hearts are essentially the seeds from the sunflower plants that you see in gardens, but have had their black husks removed thus leaving less mess when the birds feed as they do not eat the seed husks.

Of those birds that come into the garden there are some that prefer to feed on the ground and some that are able to feed from hanging feeders or hanging bird tables. But not all birds that can feed from the ground or from static or hanging bird tables will feed from hanging seed feeders. Blue Tits and Great Tits are prime feeders from hanging feeders, but will rarely be found feeding on the ground. Whereas Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Dunnocks much prefer the ground, but will feed from bird tables that are fairly open whether fixed or hanging bird tables.

So to attract the greatest variety of birds into your garden you will need a selection of hanging feeders, may be a hanging bird table and a seed tray on the ground, plus a water bath for drinking and bathing. An ideal way to start is with a pole system where you can add extra feeders and trays to build up a full feeding station. Then start feeding the birds with a selection of sunflower hearts, a mixed seed selection, some peanuts and perhaps some dried mealworms. Then sit back and enjoy the pleasure of watching the wild birds come to your garden.