Bird feeding stations

[linedancer16]

How long do the fat balls and suet blocks on a bird feeding station last before they need to be changed? I got one before Christmas but the birds dont seem to be using it. I've only seen a robin and a bluetit on it. The larger birds still eat the bread I put out on the garage roof (out of the way of my dog and next doors cat).

[murraymints]

my fat balls are devoured within an hour...are yours damp or frozen ?

[linedancer16]

Thanks for your reply.They're not frozen but they will be damp as they've been out as I say without any birds bothering with them but I didnt know how long I could leave them without putting new ones out.

[murraymints]

I would change them for new as they are obviously not too appealing by now!

[WELSHYORKIE]

Put new ones out and break up the old ones and put with the bread on the garage roof. Ours last about 10 minutes once the starlings get at them.

[hellywelly4]

I understood that it was not good to feed bread to the birds - is that right? I will change my fat balls now, based on your question, as mine don't seem very popular and have been out for ages. Many thanks

[NazNomad]

"I understood that it was not good to feed bread to the birds - is that right?"

It's not necessarily ''not good'', it fill them up whilst not being very nutritious, hence a waste of time them expending energy eating it.

Nuts, seeds, fat - other 'high energy' stuff is better.

[rowanwitch]

are you missing most of your visitors most of the activity in our garden is just after first light and just before it starts to get dark...apart from the starlings and blackbirds who pop in and out all day

[vivandorron]

Change the 'fat balls' and I agree with Naz about bread.

Obviously you have a liking for birds so have a click of the following and post comments in the Ed's present 'sticky' for us 'Birdie Bods'.

http://www.theanswerb...t/Question968860.html

Ron.

[LoftyLottie]

It strikes me that word has got around in Norfolk that we are running a drive through restaurant for them. I am spending a fortune on bird seed, fat balls, peanuts etc. and having to refill everything regularly each day. If I am late in replenishing stocks in their restaurant they let me know about it.

(But they are worth it and the garden is full of birds from dawn until dusk)

[horselady]

A squirrel scoffs our nuts and fat balls before the poor birds get much of a look in!

[murraymints]

where you Lofty .. spent few years in Thorpe st andrew outsid Norwich !!!

[LoftyLottie]

North Norfolk Murraymints. About 10 miles inland from Wells next the Sea. Bird Country!!

[murraymints]

nearly neighbours then.Lofty.....ever go up to Blakeney ?

[LoftyLottie]

Haven't been recently. It's OK but gets crowded with the sailing crowd and is a nightmare in the summer. We tend to go to Holkham Beach which is our nearest beach or Sheringham. I used to work in Wells. Where are you now?

[murraymints]

back in scotland Lofty,, but miss a Sunday morning with the papers at some country pub by the locks !!!

[LoftyLottie]

Lovely peaceful and gentle county is Norfolk. But you have magnificant scenery where you are. Is is snowing? ;o)

[murraymints]

on and off... yes !!! wish I were a polar bear.... go to sleep ...no heating bills...and.....wake up nice and thin !!!!

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, but you have to fatten yourself up before you hibernate ;o(.

Roll on spring, eh!! The snowdrops are coming through nicely now and quite a lot of my daffs are sprouting. The evenings are getting longer!! I just love the spring.

[linedancer16]

Thanks everyone! I'll change the fat balls and hope some more birds arrive! Perhaps I do miss some of the birds during the day, although I am around most of the time, but whatever happens they're not eating anything! Perhaps the birds in Yorkshire are too well fed!