no trees/shelter for small birds feeding
 

i was struggling in a yard with no trees to get the wee birds in.
many answers too, to prevent the starlings from getting at the feeders and being intimidating.
someone say a longer hanging line on the feeder as starlings dont 'do' acrobatics', mind did.

my solution:

i made a hoodie from the branches of a real christmas tree after it was used for the festive season.
the tits and more are coming, it is doing the trick for the starlings, but not on the fat balls, but defo on the feeders.
dont worry the starlings can go elsewhere in the yard where provision is made for them!!!

.
 

Great idea Minnie! The starlings are brazen!! Do they try to sneak under the branches, no? Im going to do that in the morning with some branches. Ive been trying everthing to make sure everyone gets something..but you cant watch them all the time lol. Well you could but.....! Anyway,thanks for the idea. Question now please.....tell me about your blue tree!!!! Its lovely.

well chicken/chucken!
 

the blue tree - branches actually, found strewn in twins garden,
blue, left over paint
planter, large terracotta one, chipped, car boot sale.
a hairy plant. a purplish ornamental cabbage and white pebbles hey presto a planter sculpture for nothing really.
purple branches, left over paint!!!!
i did that during the dark with an outside light, nothing like that to get the mood up and it did.
when i saw 'the light' in the morning, GOD was i well pleased!!!!!!
sorry couldnt help myself there, with the phrases, like!

Starlings are on decline
 

Might be worth bearing in mind that starlings, and sparrows, are on the decline so need some TLC as well. Bruised apples and other fruit goes down very well.

Ah Im giving them loads of TLC.Tons of them here every day,Its just that they bully the small guys so need to keep them separated some how! I had bananas today that had gotten too ripe so I put them out for them...no interest...until they froze!!! So now we know..starlings like frozen bananas! Would they like oranges I wonder? Ive a bag of them here too.

Bird feeding
 

I suppose the easy way to find out is to try one. :-)

Ya I suppose!! LOL. These guys would probably like it in a cocktail tho..they are so cheeky! I would be worried about citrus. I hope it wouldnt harm them.

Supporting struggling wildlife
 

Anyone having problems with rock hard fatballs? I bought them in October but no sell by date on them (huge tub). Last year I was having difficulty keeping pace with the birds they were going through them so quickly. Now they are taking forever to nibble them down. My bananas were gobbled up today!

Aah... Dublindy and Nanny thanks for the fruit idea... up to now i have just binned mine , now i have an alternative


MinnieP .. I love the summerhouse, reminds me that summer is coming SOON ????


Are you still up for trying to get the garden done ???


SUnny xxx

no trees/shelter for small birds feeding
 

At the moment Hubby feeds the birds with a birdfeeder full of birdseed. We haven't bought any fatballs yet. However, we find that pigeons are now using the feeder and the little birds don't get a fair whack at it. We haven't had the pigeons taking over before. Anyone got any ideas of what to do?

I think we have to live and let live in this weather.All the poor things are short of food.

yeh sunny
 

the garden will get done! tis nearly done, i have all the ideas...but twins is like a rice paddy, THATS the garden that needs 'done'
i am ok and up to the job! well i think so but could do with help, who couldnt, apart from the birds of a feathered kind.
heres one bird who could
xxminnie pal
the gov docked from my disab pension....now i could string em up, do you think the starlings would like em or would it give them indigestion and acidity, forget the oranges!!!

Oh Minnie The poor birds..its enough that we have to "Swallow" the governments "tweeting" and "Robin" us blind....ahem. But on second thoughts....Do you want to put an ad in the wanted section for LOT AND LOTS of string!!! Let the birds take their chances!!!!! LOL.Hitchcock may have been on to something.........

chucken
 

all suggestions gratefully received on this serious issue!
minnie pal
plenty of latitude there dont you think????

I love your summer house, where did u get it :)