Bird Seed Plots

Discussion Forum

Bird Seed Plots

Richard Barnes 18 Apr 2010, 8:12 PM

Some positive news from one of our customers in Northamptonshire. 

Whilst visiting the farm last week we viewed all of the HLS wild bird seed plots - during the 'honeymoon' period (clean ground, high fertility etc) fresh out of the arable system they had done very well.  Given the ongoing debate on this website and elsewhere on how to prolong the winter seed provision window we were pleased to note that the gold of pleasure plants (a component within the required mix) had numerous intact pods which were still full of viable seed. Such seed supply was despite his plots being very heavily used by a wide range of farmland birds during a harsh and protracted winter (many birds were still working the plots as we walked through them).  There were clear signs in other plots of where this seed has been cleared out so no questions of palatibility or access to seed. 

In my mind this confirms the view that numerous plots of a decent size that are well farmed will deliver a prolonged seed source for farmland birds.

Richard Barnes, Kings Game Cover and Conservation Crops
www.kingscrops.co.uk

Re: Bird Seed Plots

Ian Gould 22 Apr 2010, 2:00 PM
Camelina / Gold of Pleasure is definitely palatable to many species.  It is easy to grow, has weed-suppressing qualities (as it grows very rapidly) but should be used in limited quantities if other elements are to be successful.  It is often compared to Linseed ans the plants do look quite similar, but it has very different responses to some herbicides. 

The seed mix components are very important as they play a huge role in how long the food could be available for, but they mean very little without the correct Agronomy and Nutrition (fertiliser).  Some species are simply not designed to hold onto their seeds until the "hungry-gap" of mid-Feb -- April, as they shed their seeds or degrade to the point of destruction before this period.  Camelina is one that does have less problems in this regard and Fodder Radish could be another one, but it suffers from being so palatable that the seed is often eaten very early in the winter.

Oakbank are looking carefully at this issue to see what can be done to prolong the feeding period, but our early thoughts, and those of other experts that we have consulted, would look towards careful buffer feeding as a simple effective solution.  This could be something as simple as regularly spinning a few kilos of tail corn onto a track during the  "Hungry Gap".  The quantity would not be enough to last more than one day, therefore not being to attractive to Vermin, but it would need to be done regularly (2-3 times per week).  This method mimicks the old seed that was available in animal feed troughs, outside farm buildings, etc as these sources of food have largely disappeared.

If anyone would be interested in looking at this in more detail please get in touch with me.

Ian Gould
www.oakbankgc.co.uk

ps. Attached Pic is of Camelina / Gold of Pleasure in our trials

Re: Bird Seed Plots

mike.mcdowall 03 May 2010, 8:34 AM
I am with Ian Gould on the subject of buffer feeding. I have been doing this along tracks with good hedges for about 10 years now and it has proved extremely successful. I started as a backup to winter stubbles, which lasted to about the turn of the year only. It has taken on a life of it's own as my activities have formed the basid of a long term ringing project. This has confirmed the value of buffer feeding as wild bird cover comparison sites have been shown to lose their value from about the end of January. Thanks for the tip on Gold of Pleasure though, I shall certainly give that a try.

On a practical note there are ways to make the buffer feeding much less labout intensive. The best is to use feeders. I use a design which looks a bit like a pheasant feeder. A bucket on legs is used, raised about 3 feet off the ground - out of reach of pheasants. There is a 6mm mesh basket underneath and a platform for the birds to perch on. This is perforated to prevent build up of muck which might lead to disease transmission. Note that disease transmission, E.Coli, Salmonella and Trichomoniasis, is a serious threat especially to particular species like Greenfinch.

To prevent disease transmission I move the feeders regularly, and resist the temptation to fill them too full. I put a little in the bottom so I can empty any mucky stuff out easily. The space in the bin is used for a bag full of spare feed, making topping up easy when just passing by.

As noted I site these on tracks with hedges. I put them right against the hedge, giving the birds easy access to shelter from sparrowhawks.

Some species don't like sitting on the platform. It is only in the last few weeks that I have seen yellowhammer using them after years of using these feeders. The dribble on to the ground is very important for them.

Yes, these feeders attract rodents. I think this has more advantages than disadvantages. I site the feeders well away from buildings, thus drawing rats _away_ from buildings - a definite plus. The rodents also attract their own predators - kestrel, buzzard and owls. To me, another success ! So don't be frightened of vermin, site the feeders where they won't be a problem.

The only truly negative rodent I have had at the feeders is grey squirrel. I have watched a buzzard try and fail to catch one. Squirrel still visit so I guess the predators really cannot get it and I shall have to adopt the lead approach, driving it away from the small birds first.

I feed screenings as as more varied food source than straight cereals, but I am sure the birds will appreciate whatever you have available, rather than starve.

There is a little work to make the feeders, but once done they will save a huge amount of effort and give a controlled approach which is reasonably efficient on feed. Bucket came free from the local swimming pool, just needed a good clean and some camouflage. Screw tops are much superior to clip on.

Mike, E.Lothian.