Question About Cleaning Up Spilled Bird Seed (1 Viewer)

[newbbirdwatcher]

While I'm aware of "no mess" bird seed, I am on a limited budget for bird seed. My birds are going through a 25 lb bag of black oil sunflower seeds about every 3 weeks. I also feed them wild bird seed and peanuts in three different feeders. However, I noticed some seeds tend to fall out of the bird feeder and onto the grass. In the beginning it was okay, because there weren't as many birds as there are now. Now, there are a lot more birds and a lot more seeds on the ground, and while I usually rake them up, I also notice the grass comes up with it and I don't always get all of the shells and the seeds. My questions is "is there a more effective way to pick up seeds and seed shells on the grass? or is there a specific tool that I can use that makes it easier to pick up the mess?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SaukShrike]

Not sure if it is an option based on where you live or lawn preferences, but I've found that the birds will do a fine job cleaning up that spilled seeds. In winter, ground-feeding birds like American Tree Sparrows or Dark-eyed juncos (in North America) welcome the seeds that fall from our feeders. We even had 3 pheasants one winter morning. Another option to keep it out of your lawn would be to build a small garden box, fill with dirt and plants underneath your feeder. With the right groundcover you may be able to hide the spilled shells. Good luck.

 

[bartolli]

I moved my feeder away from the grass and over the paving stones!

You could try suspending a tray under the feeder to catch the spillage?

 

[Mari E]

Feeder trays work brilliantly and it gives birds more perching space. However bigger possibly less-wanted species will use the feeders too!

 

[Tiger1]

Try a vacuum cleaner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiger1