How to feed birds without the mess

[BigDahliaFan]

We have a large flock of sparrows as well as all the other usual garden birds. I love watching them feed but OMG the mess. I've tried all sorts of seeds but I'm constantly sweeping up what looks like half a bag of seed from underneath the feeders.

Why do people feed birds in spring summer? if you have the right trees and shrubs they come by anyway to eat the insects and berries.

They do, but my garden isn't very well established yet...I've planted bird friendly shrubs and bushes. Also it's not the biggest garden in the world....

We rigged up a plastic tray ( actually microwave plate cover domes) to hang from cable ties under the feeder it stops the mess from reaching the ground, think you can buy feeders with trays attached too.

The mice and rats where you live will be having a field day and now be enjoying your garden and those of your neighbours. It is not neighbourly to let seed drop on the ground or throw it on the ground. On top of rodents it also encourages flocks of pigeons to adopt the area and can be a real pest.

Just buy feeders which cannot drop seed at all. The birds will be absolutely fine anyway and know how to find their own food. Just put up fat balls and get a bird bath.

I find the least messy options are half-coconuts filled with fat ball concoction. Also sunflower hearts which appeal to the finches.

I hate mess on the ground as it encourages pigeons who are a menace. I usually feed from October to the end of March.

I thought about getting feeders with the little integral plate underneath but then the jackdaws could access the feeders which puts off the smaller birds.

we have one with tray and its in a cage so the bigger birds in the garden cant get to it.

I always feed the birds mealworms in a hanging feeder. The little birds hang off it and any worms that fall off are hoovered up instantly by thrushes, blackbirds, ravens and pigeons. No way will they miss out on a mealworm!

I just feed sunflower hearts from a hanging feeder. No mess and all the small birds, including goldfinches seem to love them, even the robin (usually ground feeder) has learnt to use the feeder .

We've also got a resident pigeon who spends most of the day under the feeder ready to catch the occasional dropped seed and chases away any other pigeons who come into the garden..