Peanut feeder recommendations..

markta

markta

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,036
Name
Mark
Edit My Images
Yes
Hey all,

Would welcome some recommendations on a squidger proof peanut feeder, if there is such a one.

If so, please reply with a linky!

Thanks :thumbs:
 
Do a google for squirrel proof feeder!!! Theres loads :shrug:
 
Janice said:
Do a google for squirrel proof feeder!!! Theres loads :shrug:
Click to expand...

Thanks Janice, have already done a Google search and also on Ebay...

Just wondering whether anyone has one which actually does what it says. As everyone knows, they're very clever, so just looking for feedback.

Obviously if i spend £20 on one and it doesn't do the trick then it's not the end of the world, but would like to buy a really good'un first off.

Thanks :)
 
CopeImages said:
Hi Mark,

I have one of these - http://www.drollyankees.com/

It's metal throughout and oozes quality.

I bought mine from the shop at Windsor Great Park but they do sell them here which is where I buy my bulk seed from - http://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/acatalog/feeders.html

Guy
Click to expand...

Brill, thanks Guy :)

I did consider Gardman and Mr Harrison (sorry I can't remember his first name :lol:) but they don't convince me.

Anyway, would welcome any more brand recommendations.

Droll Yankees seem to be the way to go, especially with that battery charged one! Can't see any squidger picking up on how that works!

Cheers
 
I got a squirrel proof feeder last winter, sort of a round ball of wire that allows the birds to pass through, with the actual feeder in the centre of it. Unfortunately the squirrels by me can't read, so if the squirrels by you can't read as well I'd avoid getting one of these.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations...gonna have to get the whole system bit by bit, but my little dudes deserve the best, seeing as they put up with me feeding 'em :lol:

Gonna be getting this tomorrow:-

http://www.wildbirdfood.uk.com/acatalog/info_155.html

Will also at the same time be bulk ordering a 3kg pot of dried mealworms, a

http://www.wildbirdfood.uk.com/acatalog/info_135.html

http://www.wildbirdfood.uk.com/acatalog/info_137.html

The Flipper will follow when I have some more money...

Thanks again for all the ideas/contributions :clap::clap:
 
Ok, just to provide an update...after much research, these guys http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/index.php are the cheapest I could find, saving at least £1 per item from the next cheapest..free delivery thrown in as well!

Have ordered and paid for the following...

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=137

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=139

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=106

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=116

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=141

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=146

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=138

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=110

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=189

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=12

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=88

Everything in stock and should be arriving Monday.

Probably the only thing I haven't got my birds are bibs :D

Looking forward to setting it up and seeing what their reactions are. Should take a week or so for them to become accustomed to it!

Carol, I rang the place you recommended but they didn't have much of the Droll Yankee stuff in stock. Thanks for the suggestion though :thumbs:
 
The only thing I would like to point out on this thread is most of the squirrel proof feeders are also woodpecker proof!
 
Try feeding sunflower heart seeds, birds go crazy over them but you needs a different feeder.

Realspeed
 
Cheers for your thoughts! Much appreciated :clap::)

I opted for the extra pole length with the intention of making the giant seed feeder/squirrel guard as high as possible, cos I know squidgers can jump but not that high..

Sunflower hearts are very much on the menu, I'll get some when I next place an order, also looking at getting a goldfinch flocker as well, plus a few more scroll bars to hang them on..

For those interested I'll post a picture of it all once I'm happy with what I have then ask for suggestions to better it etc. and as for squirrels, the feeders I'm getting are extremely tough and very well made with lifetime guarantee against any damage..
 
admirable said:
The only thing I would like to point out on this thread is most of the squirrel proof feeders are also woodpecker proof!
Click to expand...


Im glad you said that! I found a greater spotted on the side of my tree trunk one day so I rushed into the garage and found a squirrel proof feed left by the last people here........so I filled it and hung it at that very spot.

No return visit from the woody even after a month or two........now I know why!! :lol:

My first squirrel proof feeder hanging at mid-height from a bush was decimated one night and found on the floor.

It was badgers and thus began their nightly visits and I then sprinkled the peanuts on the floor and they would take them from there even with the outside light on.
 
markta said:
Ok, just to provide an update...after much research, these guys http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/index.php are the cheapest I could find, saving at least £1 per item from the next cheapest..free delivery thrown in as well!
Click to expand...

Good god man, you are really serious about this feeding stuff..... wonder how much money's worth you will get through with your feed each month................... as much as sawman I wonder?? :thinking:
 
Since when did a rodent-feeding-thing become a vital part of any camera bag..?
Isn't this the most off topic thread ever in this 'Talk Equipment' section...?

Congratulations Mark for making me laugh with the absurdity of this 'hobby' of ours (photography, not feeding animals..)
 
Janice said:
Im glad you said that! I found a greater spotted on the side of my tree trunk one day so I rushed into the garage and found a squirrel proof feed left by the last people here........so I filled it and hung it at that very spot.

No return visit from the woody even after a month or two........now I know why!! :lol:

My first squirrel proof feeder hanging at mid-height from a bush was decimated one night and found on the floor.

It was badgers and thus began their nightly visits and I then sprinkled the peanuts on the floor and they would take them from there even with the outside light on.
Click to expand...

Good point, didn't fully consider the woodys. Have only ever seen one in my garden and that was a green. Tend to hear rather than see them though, but I'll also get a peanut feeder for them as well, so none of them are left out! :)
 
Janice said:
Good god man, you are really serious about this feeding stuff..... wonder how much money's worth you will get through with your feed each month................... as much as sawman I wonder?? :thinking:
Click to expand...

Have no idea how much Sawman spends every month, looking at his set up though, looks like he caters for every thing. Wouldn't be surprised if he has tables and high chairs as well :D

Janice, would be interested to know how much he spends on feed, as will others on here :)

That Droll Yankee Flipper on You Tube videos is soooo funny. I think it's the helium voice that makes it IMHO. Good job I wasn't drinking coffee at the time! :lol:
 
pearce_jj said:
this is such an awsome thread :thumbs: :)
Click to expand...

steveinspain said:
Since when did a rodent-feeding-thing become a vital part of any camera bag..?
Isn't this the most off topic thread ever in this 'Talk Equipment' section...?

Congratulations Mark for making me laugh with the absurdity of this 'hobby' of ours (photography, not feeding animals..)
Click to expand...

Steve mate, what ever happened to the originality of taking a peanut feeder out with you in your camera bag? ;):D
 
Well Mark, I tend to keep my nuts and equipment in separate places, and can't believe that no-one else has made a comment like this yet, or am I the only one who thinks like this...?

As I write this it is 2.30am, the clocks have gone back, it is pouring outside, I cannot sleep but am again laughing at this thread.
Cheers Mark !
 
steveinspain said:
Well Mark, I tend to keep my nuts and equipment in separate places, and can't believe that no-one else has made a comment like this yet, or am I the only one who thinks like this...?

As I write this it is 2.30am, the clocks have gone back, it is pouring outside, I cannot sleep but am again laughing at this thread.
Cheers Mark !
Click to expand...

Great stuff :clap: Glad it's making people laugh and cheering people up:)
 
markta said:
Have no idea how much Sawman spends every month, looking at his set up though, looks like he caters for every thing. Wouldn't be surprised if he has tables and high chairs as well :D

Janice, would be interested to know how much he spends on feed, as will others on here :)

That Droll Yankee Flipper on You Tube videos is soooo funny. I think it's the helium voice that makes it IMHO. Good job I wasn't drinking coffee at the time! :lol:
Click to expand...

Sawman spends far too much!

I think with the squirrel mix & sunflower hearts, fatballs,Niger seed & peanuts. The cost is just over £100 per month.

The way I look at is this. I do not go to pubs etc, do not smoke either so I get my pleasure from helping the wildlife on the hill. If I can sell the odd pic though that will be money that goes into the kitty for more food for them.

The important thing to consider is this. If I start feeding will I be able to carry on? If the answer is no then do not start.

"My" squirrels are still feeding on Pine / Larch cones as well so they are not totally dependent on the food, but it certainly has helped them this year as folks around who do not even know what I am doing have been saying they are seeing more squirrels than they have in years locally. That is what makes it worthwhile to me.

Hope that helps.

I will be going to Dundee now busking with my bagpipes with a squirrel on my shoulder:lol:
 
A quick question.

My intended interest lies with photographing birds, I have had a life long love of all things birdy. The trouble is around here there seems to be as many grey squirrels as birds and when I have had the feeders going in the past in the garden it has always been more food going to the squirrels than the birds - so the question is do the squirrel baffles that fix to the lower end of the pole help stop the squirrels getting to the feeders?
 
sawman said:
Sawman spends far too much!

I think with the squirrel mix & sunflower hearts, fatballs,Niger seed & peanuts. The cost is just over £100 per month.

The way I look at is this. I do not go to pubs etc, do not smoke either so I get my pleasure from helping the wildlife on the hill. If I can sell the odd pic though that will be money that goes into the kitty for more food for them.

The important thing to consider is this. If I start feeding will I be able to carry on? If the answer is no then do not start.

"My" squirrels are still feeding on Pine / Larch cones as well so they are not totally dependent on the food, but it certainly has helped them this year as folks around who do not even know what I am doing have been saying they are seeing more squirrels than they have in years locally. That is what makes it worthwhile to me.

Hope that helps.

I will be going to Dundee now busking with my bagpipes with a squirrel on my shoulder:lol:
Click to expand...

I was expecting you to say about £50 per month :eek: Mind, you do feed the squidgers as well, which I'd do if we had reds locally..

Have to say me neither, no drink, drugs, smoking, nothing but at the same time, I agree, it's like a long commitment, if you can't keep feeding 'em then it's not fair to do it in the first place, as they come to reply on you.

For me, I've always had a huge respect for wildlife, ever since I can remember and follow on from my Mum who since 1989 is no longer with us. Just find wildlife awesome, I can sit for hours and hours watching :)

Does help and it's an amazing thing that you do, looking after them like you do. They obviously associate you with food, but you've clearly established a bond with the squirrels/great tits etc.

Long may it continue! :)

I'm expecting to get through about £30 per month, once I have a 20 perch goldfinch flocker on there as well
 
two_lens_jackson said:
A quick question.

My intended interest lies with photographing birds, I have had a life long love of all things birdy. The trouble is around here there seems to be as many grey squirrels as birds and when I have had the feeders going in the past in the garden it has always been more food going to the squirrels than the birds - so the question is do the squirrel baffles that fix to the lower end of the pole help stop the squirrels getting to the feeders?
Click to expand...

I'm sure I'll soon be able to tell you, but someone may know the answer to that, before me.

Basically I've ordered the extended pole, so the squirrel will no doubt climb up the pole. The first thing it'll encounter is a giant seed tray (470mm in diameter) which apparently the squirrels can't overcome...

So the feeder system will be clear of any trees thereby eliminating that route as well and also thanks to the extra section of pole, I'll be putting the giant seed tray quite a way off the ground, so squirrels can't leap onto it. I'll also be consciously placing the feeder clear of any shrubbery that they can use as a springboard...

Hope that helps in some way. I'd love to know how high squiders can jump. I know they can and it doesn't appear to be that much. Any ideas anyone?

Cheers :)
 
markta said:
I'm sure I'll soon be able to tell you, but someone may know the answer to that, before me.

Basically I've ordered the extended pole, so the squirrel will no doubt climb up the pole. The first thing it'll encounter is a giant seed tray (470mm in diameter) which apparently the squirrels can't overcome...

So the feeder system will be clear of any trees thereby eliminating that route as well and also thanks to the extra section of pole, I'll be putting the giant seed tray quite a way off the ground, so squirrels can't leap onto it. I'll also be consciously placing the feeder clear of any shrubbery that they can use as a springboard...

Hope that helps in some way. I'd love to know how high squiders can jump. I know they can and it doesn't appear to be that much. Any ideas anyone?

Cheers :)
Click to expand...

Have you thought any about Sparrowhawk attacks?
 
sawman said:
Have you thought any about Sparrowhawk attacks?
Click to expand...

In my back garden, I have high trees surrounding pretty much all of it, plus shrubbery on the wooden fence, so plenty of cover for the birds if they sense sparrowhawks/kestrels etc. I'm just gonna make sure it's clear of anywhere where the squidgers could leap from.

Would definately appreciate any other suggestions to make the birdies feel safer. Have read several books on this kind of thing and this is pretty much all they've come up with.

Cheers :)

PS. Once I set up the feeder tomorrow, I'll post a couple of piccys of my garden..
 
Well the stuff arrived at 8.40am, in a hession sack weighing about 10kg. Felt like I was opening a stocking bag full of pressies!

Anyway, everything was set up for about 10.30, www.streetendfeeds.co.uk even threw in 1kg of niger seed and free dried mealworms.

I then looked at what I had and turns out I should have ordered two scroll hooks instead of one :bang: as the robin feeder needs one too.

All in all, I sat patiently waiting for my dudes and dudesses to arrive :woot:

At 3.10 the feeder saw some action as a local robin flew down to have some of the high energy mix and a blue tit tried on two occasions to approach but backed away just before, presumably the feeder was a teeny weeny bit too far away from cover.

Anyway, another scroll hook should be arriving Wednesday, so I'll post some piccys once the robin feeder with mealworms is on there as well.

As for Droll Yankee products, they exude quality. Metal where metal needed, plastic tubing is ultra strong and UV resistant. Very aesthetically pleasing as well, for photographic opportunities..
 
Just a quick update....the robin visited the high energy feeder a lot more today, in fact three times more visits that I had from him/her using the old one! The robin flies off, probably to move on an intruder and then comes back to the feeder :woot:

Did think it may be the added rainshield etc. of the Droll Yankees, but guess it's probably that the nosh is tastier :)

Scroll hook should arrive tomorrow, so will hang up the robin feeder with mealworms, then take photos and post on here.

Depending on immediate finances, will be getting a Droll Yankee New Generation peanut feeder for the woodpeckers, plus another scroll hook, omni tray, bag of peanuts and rainguard and that should be it! Phew, I need a lie down :coat::lol:
 
RSPB sell them. 27.99, woodpeckers can feed as well.
 
Ric Type R said:
RSPB sell them. 27.99, woodpeckers can feed as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm heading in the direction of another brand as I don't think the Droll Yankee peanut feeders have wide enough feed ports for woodpeckers..

Well I'm pleased to say the scroll hook arrived today, albeit at about 1.10. Bloody Royal Mail :(

The robin feeder is up, as are the mealworms. Geez, they stink :gag:

The fir tree behind the feeder has loads of birds, plenty of chat going on. They sound like a mixture of goldfinch, great tit and blue tit. Maybe they're talking about Britain's Favourite Dish :D

Saw a goldie approach, hover then back off at the last minute, so guess it'll take a little while to get used to it. A great tit did the same, though some did use the higher perches on the high energy feeder :woot:

Anyway, just doing a very quick Photoshop Elements auto process on some shots using my p&s, will then post them on here :thumbs:
 
Ok, here they are:-

1.



DSCF0767.jpg




2.



DSCF0768.jpg




3.



DSCF0769.jpg




4. What squirrels will see.....



DSCF0771.jpg




5. The chat venue..Britain's Favourite Bird Dish nominations discussed here (the very green tree behind the feeder)...



DSCF0764.jpg





Sorry about the quality of the images..these were purely snap shots with a p&s camera..

Suggestions most welcome about any improvements to positioning etc. :)

Almost forgot - when I was putting the mealworms in the feeder, a coalie flew to within 5 feet of me to have a look at what I was doing. I felt sooo humbled :notworthy:
 
two_lens_jackson said:
Any interest from squirrels yet?
Click to expand...

Fortunately not. Yay! :) But haven't seen any about at the moment.

Real test will be during breeding season!

Has had plenty of visits though from the more commoner species :thumbs: :woot:
 
Just an update after managing to sell some surplus cycling parts...

Ok, I'm adding another two feeders to the poles - a New generation seed feeder in bright copper colour (large size) to make four attached to the pole, plus the large nyger seed feeder on top of the pole.

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=211

a peanut feeder (large size)

http://www.streetendfeeds.co.uk/productdetails.php?id=112

plus a rain cover for each with omni trays for each, with 13kg of peanuts and 13kg of black sunflower seeds with scroll hooks..

Apart from buying feed, this will be it as all feeders etc. carry a lifetime guarantee!

Getting loads of visits from birdies right now, especially great tits. Also have a regular pair of goldies visiting - one eats the high energy mix (presumably for the sunflower hearts) and the other is happy with niger..

Awesome :woot:
 
two_lens_jackson said:
And presumably still no attention from the squirrels?
Click to expand...

Nope, doesn't appear so :woot: Easy to check at the moment, cos of the condensation I'd imagine there'd be paw prints on the giant squirrel guard if there was any unwanted intrusions :gag:

The only way I can see the tree rats getting to the feeder is by climbing a nearby high tree then leaping off as the feeder is about 8 or 9 feet clear of it...

Would really appreciate any suggestions if the photos are clear enough about location etc.

Many thanks, I do get up very early for squirrelwatch duties, as I know once they find a way then regular visits will happen, so need to stay one step ahead of the buggers :nono:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top