With us as gardeners between forest and orchard, the bird feeding an obsession has become. We feed all year and only with Dehner products.
However, I can say with certainty that it is impossible the perfect blend commercially to acquire, because that depends on the composition of the bird population and these changes in the course of a year (in winter almost weekly) already significantly. So we mix our services individually to the guests.
In the spring / summer we have a small house in the pendulum Gingko tree is that every day is filled with a 4 to 1 mixture of sunflower seeds and fine seeds. That has been proven. Incidentally, we prefer natural seeds, because we believe that the birdies should be engaged with the feed something and Knispel part of their natural behavior. The husks disturb us less, they are cleared regularly. A nice side effect has also Natursaat: because so many forgetful or clumsy bird drops a seed and bloom in summer beautiful sunflowers in every corner of our garden. (By the way, I've never had the dangerous Ambrosia attend Dehner). Of course, shelled fodder in the city on a balcony or terrace is better suited to typical city birds and the neighbors are not dirty.
Visit us on the other hand in the summer already Kohl, - blue and chickadees, field and house sparrows, green bodies and sometimes a thistle or Chaffinch, nuthatches and woodpeckers. From offered fodder nothing left. We fill the house in the evening, so that in the morning the breakfast is still secured. Right next door always depends a titmouse (summer) dumplings (recognizable by the green grid), soft in the warm sun and not to drip into the grass. The crumbs on the ground are also determined and are fond of Blackbird, thrush and robin as a snack between feeding breaks the nestlings I nibbled've even seen pecking already Hausrotschwänzchen and garden Braunelle there.
By the way do not forget water. Birds are not only hungry but also thirsty and enjoys bathing, particularly during the breeding season when annoying parasites tweak in plumage.
In winter it is really tight in the trees around our farm. The pendulum house still remains for the little birdies as chickadees, siskins and goldfinches. A large Futtersilohaus on a 1.5m column matters worse, because now we also visit Grosbeak, bullfinch, shrewish bramblings, boorish green compacts, Goldammer squads and lively crested tits in droves. Against these biker gangs, the little ones have no chance and remain logically on hard to reach pendulum houses among themselves. The food assortment in these two houses is now changing the composition of the flock of birds. Come raise more goldfinches we simply the proportion of thistle seed. By the time the invasion of siskins begins (January / February 2013 were an estimated 300 !!!) we increase the proportion fine seeds especially hemp share. For fast energy supply by icy nights, there is now also chopped peanuts. Several Meisen (Winter) dumplings (recognizable by the yellow network) that are in the cold not so hard a nut bar and energy cake provide proteins. Even a handful of dried mealworms broaden the offer for our sweet tooth.
A third feeder is from November also on the ground and that the soft-eating bird giants such as: blackbird, red and mistletoe thrush and two or three opportunistic Stare wintering with us. These birds, the other bird feeders because of their size bad approach (which is also desired), and looking for anyway prefer the ground to feed! In floor house therefore is the fat and soft lining of Dehner. Depending on requirements, we increase the proportion of raisins for the blackbirds in it. (Other berries or even coconut flakes have not proven they are just thrown around) But a fresh apple makes a day for rejoicing. This we impale simply on a bed of nails, so he does not wegkullert or is kidnapped by crows or magpies. But be careful - not purely occur.
If more than one Turk or wood pigeons present, comes a handful of ornamental poultry feed them. (You do not believe how fast the greedy things otherwise devour the soft food for blackbirds)
Funny thing is that our smallest winter visitors also visit this Bodenhaus: Wren and Robin here and there get yourself a Haferflocke or raisins Shred have overlooked the blackbirds. Last year even came Reed Buntings.
From December also fly regularly colored or green woodpecker and cute tailed Tits associations to the dumplings.
But at the latest when the middle of February the first (train) will return home from South Stare seriously! Because of this invasion of starving squallers has grown not bought the finished product! (Sorry Dehner) Here we simply mix wheat bran, oatmeal, some raisins and a few mealworms with vegetable fat / lard and a little sunflower oil (so that it is not too hard) and pour this mass in disposable soup plate to cure. These inexpensive 500gr. Slices has the screeching Rasselbande what to pick all day and our Bodenhaus remains a home for blackbirds and thrushes without hostile takeover ...
Water is also with us in winter: Simply a Tontopfuntersetzer with water over a long-running tealight placed not (a hollow block is sufficient) as freezes anything, even the birds ...
A large feeding place should always be found located near natural cover, because one thing is certain: the more birds come the greater the danger that is also the one or other bird of prey of the party. We came every day and had a 2-3x per week success. (Do not panic, there were mostly weakened ancient animals that have always had no breeding in the coming year.) In addition - also hawk and Co want to live not it?
By the way: Not only feed is important. Think also of nesting and exchanged on occasion the ugly, circular or even rectangular boxwood against a natural, native bushes from. This is not only romantic because it beautiful flowers in spring and in autumn bears berries but also useful for insect, bird and human.
