BIRD FEEDING

[Butterfly]

I planted this red pyracantha shrub last year, and haven't noticed any interest in it from birds, even though it produced a lot of berries. Until recently, when I noticed that a couple of blackbirds and robins all over it . They come and pick berries all the time now and its almost stripped completly , really pleased to see them enjoying them . (I'm still in the same house awaiting the move which is dragging on ... )

[Placido]

Made a small fatty pud t'other day - just the usual, lard, cheese, seeds etc - and it had gone within 2 hours. It was inside the feeder cage to thwart the magpies and occasional wood pigeon.
Made another yesterday, larger because of the success of the first - it's out there now with breakfast and the dunnocks are all over it .

[Willpar]

Well done placi. Has been very busy here this morning with all the birds. Was zero degrees here.

[Jacksparrow]

Made a small fatty pud t'other day - just the usual, lard, cheese, seeds etc - and it had gone within 2 hours. It was inside the feeder cage to thwart the magpies and occasional wood pigeon.
Made another yesterday, larger because of the success of the first - it's out there now with breakfast and the dunnocks are all over it .

Will there be a Chrimbo version with a sprig of holly and sprinkle of flour?

[Placido]

Optimism and feel-good factor very much misplaced, I'm afraid .
This morning the feeder cage was out of position and no sign of the remains of the fatty pudding - I assume a fox but can't really blame a hungry animal if you put food in front of it and say, "That's not for you" .
For now, I'm a bit stymied .

[Jacksparrow]

Optimism and feel-good factor very much misplaced, I'm afraid .
This morning the feeder cage was out of position and no sign of the remains of the fatty pudding - I assume a fox but can't really blame a hungry animal if you put food in front of it and say, "That's not for you" .
For now, I'm a bit stymied .

Is there any way you can raise the fatty treat above ground level. It would rule out the fox but not the cats. The ground feeding birds might miss out a little depending on where you can find to re-site the goodies.

[Placido]

Well, you have mentioned my original purpose, Jacksparrow: felt sorry for the blackies who were missing out on a suet cake hanging up in the silver birch and is very popular (even the sparrows can perch on a twig and feed). Hence the fatty pud on the ground.
Beyond nailing the feeder cage down I can't think of a solution - at the moment

[Willpar]

Metal tent pegs placi.

[Placido]

Mekkle tent pegs ! ! !
Brilliant, Willpar. Now I've got some of those, somewhere ..... (rummage, rummage).

[Placido]

I think I've solved this share-all problem. Went out this morning and bought 3 suet cakes - broke one into little pieces and put some of them in the feeder cage. Everyone happy, including blackbirds (who thought Crimbo has come early !), so I put out some more, and so on.
Made sure there were none left at dusk.
Feel a bit sorry for foxy though .