I tried putting up a bird feeder, filled with shelled peanuts, but it looks like the birds (sparrows in this case) can not get to them.

Are the holes meant to be smaller than the peanuts? Can anyone recommend a bird feeder where the peanuts fall out slowly into a tray?

This one has small holes and no tray.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/RSPB-9-inch-...ut+bird+feeder

This one seems to have a slot at the bottom for the peanuts to fall out of.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chapelwood-W...rhf_dp_p_img_5

I have one of these. They feed / nibble thru the mesh.

Yes that is similar to the one I had (I tried to widen the holes but got too carried away.)

It looked like the sparrows were having difficulty getting at the nuts.

Are they meant to just nibble at them, hardly getting any nut?

Here is a video of a starling trying to get the nuts. I was worried it wasn't able to get at them and was being teased too much. I've got rid of the feeder now, but want to buy another one.

http://youtu.be/OoLImdITMks

Yes they just nibble. I have to refill mine every week.

Cheers for the info. I didn't like the thought they could see the nuts but not get at them.

They just nibble peanuts rather than take them out of the feeder.

If you check the nuts in the feeder you should be able to see their beak marks on the peanuts where they've been pecking them.

I've gone for this one.

http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/rspb-che...der-small.html

Home Bargains are selling bags of seeds, nuts, mealworms coconut shells, suet blocks, at a reasonable price, I was in earlier stocking up for refilling the feeders in the garden

New feeder arrived today. Already had a squirrel after the nuts but couldn't get it.

Here is a short video of a Blue Tit on the feeder.

http://youtu.be/LbFSfKIRuV4

My what a handsome chap!

Nice.

Cheers, I'm still not sure if the birds are getting any of the nuts, but I'll give it a week and see if they go down.

The holes look a bit small, but I'd hope they're able to get what they need. Plus, I see you got it via the RSPB, I'm sure they wouldn't recommend or be selling something that doesn't do the job properly.

Do you have any other feeders? My mum and dad have fed the birds for years and peanuts dont really get touched like they used too, If you could buy a normal SEED feeder and get some sunflower hearts the feeder will be empty within a day. Peanuts used to be really popular in our garden a few years back but now the birds just aint interested in them it could be the reason your peanuts arnt going down rather than the birds unable to feed.

Like i said above My advice would be to get some seed feeders with sunflower hearts because the birds dont seem that bothered about peanuts no more atleast in my garden and i have seen may others having the same problem.

I have moved the feeder and I saw a Starling on it earlier today. Although it was left for most of the day.

I will try seeds later on but it is difficult for me to go out and get them.

I put out more peanuts in shells and the squirrel and crows get them as soon as they are out.

You have to be patient (maybe 2/3 months) and let the birds get used to there being food available.

Don't give up. It will be worth it.

I'll give it a go.

It was too expensive to give up on too early.

Does anyone know the law on bird feeder placement?

My neighbour complained about where I put the new bird feeder.

I have put it on a chain link fence that backs onto his property (separated by an alleyway) and he moaned that his washing line was near it.

Now there are seagulls on the roofs of his block of flats that shat on my windows all the time, yet I have never complained. There are also flocks of starlings, pigeons, and crows that use the trees and bushes near by, none of which have been more than usual attracted to my garden.

The bird feeder is for seeds so only attracts the smaller birds such as the blue tit, so he was moaning for no reason.

Am I in my rights to put it there?

Pretty sure you don't need planning permission for a bird house lol. Up to you, if you think his complaint is reasonable, then move it. If he's being ridiculous, then tell him so.

It was more the way he complained that upset me. Rather than coming out and saying 'Hello, how are you?'

He came out as soon as he saw me putting it up, and said in a gruff tone 'Would you move that, I put my washing out there.', pointing at his washing line.

I said 'Well you have seagulls on the roof'. Implying they poo everywhere anyway.

And he just ignored me.

I would have given the feeder a week or so to see how it goes and probably moved it if it either didn't work or caused problems.

But NO, he was polite nor was he compromising.

Yet I have compromised with him when the ivy was over growing and agreed to let it be cut down.

I'd put a second one up then near it, just to be clear.

I find starlings are awful bullies! Other birds like sparrows, blackbirds, tits etc, are all happy to feed together but the moment a starling appears it starts attacking all the other birds until it has the feeder all to itself!

Yes, the holes are meant to be smaller than the peanuts. While it's not really a problem at this time of the year, when birds are feeding their young in spring, dropping an entire peanut into a gaping chick mouth risks choking the chick. Feeding adults but killing chicks is probably not the result you are looking for.

Smaller pieces broken off via these mesh or metal feeders is far safer and has the added benefit that grey squirrels can't get the peanuts.

See 'Spring & Summer' from this link to the RSPB site...

Black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese, mealworms, waxworms, mixes for insectivorous birds, good seed mixtures without loose peanuts, RSPB food bars and summer seed mixture are all good foods to provide. Soft apples and pears cut in half, bananas and grapes are also good. Some people use soaked dog or cat food and tinned pet foods, but these may attract magpies, crows and cats.

Avoid using peanuts, fat and bread at this time, since these can be harmful if adult birds feed them to their nestlings. If you feel you must put out peanuts, only do so in suitable mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces of peanuts to be removed and provide a choking risk.

Thanks for that explanation it makes good sense.

The Starlings are still using it so I'll carry on for now.

The seed feeder hasn't been used yet from what I can see.