Clive Calliss
New member
I would like to purchase a good quality wild bird seed, which is the best ?
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What is the best wild bird seed to buy (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Clive Calliss
- Start date
I agree that sunflower seeds appear to be favoured by the largest number of common UK garden birds visiting my feeders and would that that sunflower hearts although a little more expensive than seeds which have not been husked do offer better value for money as there is less waste.
My sunflower feeder gets visited by house sparrows, goldfinches, chaffinches, greenfinches, robins, great tits and blue tits with dunnocks and others feeding off the fallen seed.
My sunflower feeder gets visited by house sparrows, goldfinches, chaffinches, greenfinches, robins, great tits and blue tits with dunnocks and others feeding off the fallen seed.
Sunflower hearts are the best.
In my experience every "mix" has fillers in it that will be a waste of money. My suggestion is to look at the list of ingredients in mixes and subtract red milo/sorghum every time you see it (no birds at my location care for it). The resulting list get some small quantities of and see what the birds in your neighborhood like. Sunflower seeds are automatically on the list. I've found that the cracked corn and white millet get eaten. If you're feeding birds that like insects you may want to consider mealworms as well.
Don't make the mistake I did and buy a big bag of mixed seed. The only idea I have for all the red milo piling up is it would make a feed for mealworms if I was raising them (which I'm not).
Don't make the mistake I did and buy a big bag of mixed seed. The only idea I have for all the red milo piling up is it would make a feed for mealworms if I was raising them (which I'm not).
I'm not sure what "red milo" is, but none of the birds in my garden will eat red millet, so I don't buy a mix that includes it.
I generally buy sunflower hearts and stir in a handfull or two to any mixes I buy. The birds seem happy enough with that.
See if your local Wildlife Trust sell any feeds at their visitor centres (mine does) you could ask their advice too.
Also I use
CJ Wildlife: Bringing you high quality wildlife products | CJ Wildlife
Ivel Valley: Wild Bird Food Suppliers - Buy Wild Bird Seeds and Suet Pellets Online - Ivel Valley Wild Bird Food
RSPB (also sell in their visitor centres): GardenBird - Quality Garden Bird Food Online
And my local independent shop, so I mix and match.
There are a few others though of course.
I generally buy sunflower hearts and stir in a handfull or two to any mixes I buy. The birds seem happy enough with that.
See if your local Wildlife Trust sell any feeds at their visitor centres (mine does) you could ask their advice too.
Also I use
CJ Wildlife: Bringing you high quality wildlife products | CJ Wildlife
Ivel Valley: Wild Bird Food Suppliers - Buy Wild Bird Seeds and Suet Pellets Online - Ivel Valley Wild Bird Food
RSPB (also sell in their visitor centres): GardenBird - Quality Garden Bird Food Online
And my local independent shop, so I mix and match.
There are a few others though of course.
Kits
Picture Picker
I've been buying wild bird seed mix from this company for years. I also get my peanuts, fat balls and other bits and bobs from them. Free delivery, prompt service and good quality products.
www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk
Cheapest Wild Bird Food in the UK | Garden Wildlife Direct
Garden Wildlife Direct is the UK's most trusted online bird food brand, dedicated to supplying the best value wild bird food. Cheap Sunflower Hearts, Peanuts, Suet, Fat Balls, Bird Feeding Stations and more.
www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
Regarding red millet, it took a while but once the House Sparrows tried it they enjoyed it. I was targeting them and a single Tree which did visit for a season. My neighbours called it Elliot ( after T S ). Nowadays I use white millet which is cheaper. Also agree with Sunflower hearts being the best all round feed.
BIRD.DABBLER
Member
Hi, yes, there are tons of suppliers out there once you start to look. I try to find good quality in eco-friendly packaging wherever possible without paying through the nose. I also prefer to find the nearest place offering this stuff in order to reduce the distance travelled. I use Ark Wildlife (based in Hertfordshire) Garden Wildlife Products & Supplies
whose products are great quality at a competitive price. Their service is excellent too. I have also used CJ Wildlife (Shropshire) and www.lovegardenbirds.co.uk (Yorkshire) all of whom meet those criteria. Obviously, the more you buy at a time the better the value. Good luck!
Not sure why this is a source of confusion, maybe a difference in the US and UK birdseed markets. Label shows that bargain birdseed mostly milo. Shot of feeding plate so you can see it in detail. Mealworms not from that bag obviously.
paddyluke
Well-known member
info about Milo seed Is Milo Seed Good or Bad for Feeding Birds?
FraggleRock1974
Member
I’ve used sunflower hearts happily for ages and it seems very popular.
But I have loads of goldfinch (like 80%+, and often a dozen at a time) and want to attract others, so is there any way I can introduce other feed that might attract other species and not so much goldfinch?
But I have loads of goldfinch (like 80%+, and often a dozen at a time) and want to attract others, so is there any way I can introduce other feed that might attract other species and not so much goldfinch?
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
Just seed or other types of feeds? Which other species would you be keen to attract. Premium fat balls attract a wide range of birds including ground feeders such as Dunnock and Robins which will hoover up any fallen pieces. White Millet for House Sparrows and Chaffinch though it takes time for them to "discover" it.
FraggleRock1974
Member
I also get robins, greenfinch, chaffinches, tits, the odd siskin, so it’s not the lack of birds. I’m just wanting to see fewer goldfinch and more of the others!
I shall try fat balls, thanks.
I shall try fat balls, thanks.
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
Try to buy the best you can afford with a high level of suet. Many of the cheaper ones have lots of "rubbish" in them as fillers - straw, sawdust and spent vegetable fats to bind it together - also a squirrel proof / large bird feeder.
FraggleRock1974
Member
The grey squirrels are already a problem! I occasionally dissuade them with my air rifle, or just tolerate them. I had hoped our two cats would help get rid of them but they just sit and admire the acrobatics!
Tired
Well-known member
Sunflower and safflower seeds seem to be very popular, and it's fun to watch the birds open them. A little dish of mealworms can attract wrens and other birds that normally ignore seeds. I've had a little dish of millet as well, as the doves like it.
Probably worth noting that there's an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu in much of the US right now, and I believe in other countries as well. It's advised that all bird feeders be taken down until the outbreak is past, to help hinder the spread. It's expected to be over with by June.
Probably worth noting that there's an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu in much of the US right now, and I believe in other countries as well. It's advised that all bird feeders be taken down until the outbreak is past, to help hinder the spread. It's expected to be over with by June.
