nestbox robins

[eddyjack]

hi all
would it be alright putting up a robin type nest box in same area as hole type box and what do robins like besides mealworms i am a newbie and would like some help because i don`t know a lot about caring for wild birds i am feeding peanuts mixed seeds and fat balls don`t have a lot of spare money for the expensive food thanks for any advice

[chilternbirder]

Fat in its various forms is very popular with nesting birds. I have seen blackbirds, starlings, robins, blue tits and greater spotted woodpeckers all carry fat away from my feeders this year.

I am seeing food being taken for second broods but the bulk of the breeding season is over now and fat consumption is down to about two litres a week as against seven in May.

If cost is an issue then try making your own bird cake. Fill foil pie dishes (individual meat pie size) with a bird cake mix and then cover with melted suet or lard and allow to set.

[eddyjack]

thnx very much

[AmandaMoo]

My robins seem to favour suet pellets (either insect or berry varieties) over mealworms everytime. I've even tried the mealworm/suet pellets taste challenge with them and still suet pellets come up trumps everytime.

[eddyjack]

thanks very much amanda i will give them a try

[Pine Marten]

Hi Amanda Moo. Cant help noticing the feeder under you name. Would like to as which one it is. Looks like it could keep the food quite dry.

Pine Marten.

[Jandy]

Hi Pine Marten,

I've seen a feeder almost exactly like AmandaMoo's in the RSPB catalogue - very pricy, but 100% squirrel-proof as the weight of a squirrel cuts off the seed supply. I imagine it's also large & heavy (50 cm in height).

[Pine Marten]

Hi Jandy......many thanks for that. Dont have a squirell problem. The problem i have is with the 4 port feeders the food tends to get wet and go off. Food is expensive enough with out having to throw it away. Would like to be able to keep the food a lot dryer.

Pine Marten.

[Jandy]

Hi, Pine Marten,

I also have ordinary 4- & 2-port Defender feeders, but find the kibbled sunflower hearts in them gets eaten almost as fast as I can put it out. I confine the mixed seed to the bird table (I have a hopper on mine), where it goes just as quick - mind you, I do have squirrels, and they and the pigeons certainly help in this respect. I can see a squirrel this very moment sitting on the bird table (a bit of a squeeze under the roof!) with his front paws up on the hopper looking very happy!

With regard to your food getting wet in the feeders, a semi-circular plastic squirrel guard (CJ Autumn/Winter catalogue P 37) fixed upside-down above the feeder could act as a sort of umbrella. I suppose this would only really work on a hanging feeder rather than one on a pole.

[Pine Marten]

Hi jandy, my hanging feeders are not sheltered much so the rain can sweep inside of them. will take a few years for bushes to be any kind of break. Maybe they just dont like my garden. Except for starlings.

Pine Marten.