Recommend me a squirrel-proof bird feeder

[newyorkbreakfast]

Has anyone found a good one?
I am not seeing any robins in the garden this year, despite a healthy number in the past, and I hope to lure them back with a feeder.

Lots of flipping cats everywhere, and pigeons, but it’s fairly bushy out there so small birds can hide. I just don’t know where they’ve all gone.

thanks

Hmmm, strange - that shouldn’t happen, as the outer case is on a spring so their weight pulls it down and blocks the feeding ports. But maybe your squirrels and pigeons are craftier than ours, @Rhaidimiddim. I did once have to release an exceptionally dim squirrel which had managed to wedge itself bodily inside one of those cage feeders that have an outer protective layer. In its eagerness to get at the peanuts, it hadn’t thought through the logical next step of how to escape.

Hello!
Reading this and am wondering if anyone can help please?! I am wanting a ground feeder for a Robin that regularly visits but the sparrows and blue tits chase away. How can I squirrel and pigeon proof a ground feeder please?
Thanks all!

@SparklyGlitterballs Posted a pic upthread of a ground feeding basket thing you can use for smaller birds. It comes in 2, wire sizes for smaller and larger birds. The basket should stop pigeons and squirrels getting in. Another thing to deter both rats and squirrels, is having an oiled/greased pole with the feeder on the top. It would need to be far enough away from any trees that the animals couldn't jump from to get to the feeder though.

Another, cheaper option that I've used is a wire, hanging basket- similar to the pic. A very large width one that I upturned over the table. I had seagulls lift it, but a brick on top stopped that.

This one works for me. It's specifically for robins as the tray mimics feeding from the ground but keeps them high up safe from predators.

We have a problem with squirrels at our feeders but they can't get onto this one as the dome is too slippery and the wrong shape for them to climb down. It was about £15, really robust and easy to fill and wash up. I really recommend it.

I got round this problem by putting feeders in different places in the garden. The robins then stand a chance of getting a look in whilst the other birds are at other feeders.

The longer you keep feeding robins the more confident and friendly they get. Mine are so comfortable now that I can put out a little tray of mealworms on the table when I have my morning coffee and they will come down to the table whilst I sit there. The other birds are too shy to do it. One of the robins is so friendly now I have to be careful not to stand on him as I garden because he's always there after worms.

I don't quite get what they're doing to circumvent the baffle either. But I do see them ( pigeons and squirrels) managng to get a feeding position. Not often at all, but from time to time, which is why I recommend them as the least squirrel- friendly model I've ever bought. I provide other food forvthe squirrels and pigeons, but want the little birds to get a guaranteed beakful in the winter months, too.

We've had a Squirrel Buster for years, works perfectly and guaranteed for life.

https://www.squirrelbuster.co.uk/

Another vote for Roamwild! They are pricey, but the squirrels destroyed every other type of feeder we tried. These really do work. We have 2, one for nuts, one for seeds. We have various tits, robins, nuthatches, even a goldfinch once. The squirrels try, but give up.
The bigger birds (pigeons) eat what gets spilled. It hasn't attracted rats or mice.

Brilliant idea thanks for this!!

I can imagine the pigeons in my garden getting on this!

This is gorgeous! Ive had a Robin visit for so long, im not sure if its the same one as its been coming for years, but I always feel sorry for it. It manages tk get some food but id like it to have some more and not have to battle.with the pigeons!

We have a fair few pigeons and I've never seen one be successful on the domed feeder. The top's too curved and slippery for them so they just flail about clumsily and then give up.

Also, the height of the tray adjusts so I've made the gap small so that only the little birds can perch on it and feed.

Hard frost here today. I've had to clear ice from all the bird baths.

Do the pigeons not perch on the edge of the feeder, the rim? Good idea with making the gap smaller, I may actually buy this one as well

@ILoveCatsAndKittens They don't perch on the side of the feeding tray because the gap is too small for them to do that and be able to bend in to feed. The gap comes up to their knees (do pigeons have knees? 😂)

Honestly, I've never seen a pigeon try - they sit on the nearby branches trying to figure it out and must realise it's impossible.

I am beginning to think that no matter the advertising claims or the cost there is no such thing.
With a squirrel where there is a will, there is a way. We have tried all kinds of allegedly squirrel proof feeders at one time another (and wasted a small fortune in the process) because OH is a bird watcher and we are lucky enough to get lots of different ones in our small garden that he wants to encourage.
It doesn’t take a squirrel long to work out that if you shake the pole or the tree the feeder is fixed too the seeds fall out.

Ive found that since putting up a dedicated squirrel feeder in my garden they now leave my bird feeders alone. Its the pigeons I now have issues with!
I hadn't thought of the small gap and pigeon knees! Ill get one ordered and try it out, thank you!

Have you tried the Roamwild ones? I dread the day our squirrels defeat it. It did come close the other day, but gave up. It literally ate through the plastic parts on all others, and some of the metal parts too.

I've come to report back!

I bought a domed Robin feeder that @BohoGarden recommended. Within 10 minutes, a Robin sat on top of the feeder but didnt go inside the feeder. I havent seen one on there again since! I have made the opening larger and its day 5 today and I have finally seen a blue tit feed from it!

The pigeons initially spent about half an hour trying to work out how to get food, slipping off, and have given up! I havent seen them attempt it since.

Hopefully the Robin will see the blue tits feeding from it and give it a try!

Hmmmm, my Robin feeder which i thought was pigeon proof after seeing them slipping off ans giving up, has now become a pigeon haven!! Two fat pigeons sat in ot and a flurry on the floor picking up the scraps!
Ive made the opening smaller so will see how that goes.
I thiught I'd found a sheltered spot for my Robin friend so have been leaving food there for it, it watches me whenever I go out! But then pigeons have now found that as well and are currently devouring the sunflower hearts and peanuts I'd let for Robin.

I stopped feeding the birds last year as I kept coming across tiny tragic bundles of feathers left behind by the neighbourhood bastard cats. I’ve been feeling really bad with all this dreadful weather and also missing them. I saw this on instagram yesterday and it’s cleared my guilt:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTdbq6ZjbDL/?igsh=Yzk3c2tvdDZsYTM4

I posted previously about the ground feeder table with cage. Before I bought it I made my own little version by tying together two of those half hanging basket cages. You need to peg it down though. Poor pigeon was very frustrated. Excuse the weedy garden!

Im going to give this a try as well! Just waiting for hanging baskets to appear in local home bargains or b&m 😁

Hello!
Sorry to resurrect this thread but I need more help please!

I did buy one of those dome feeders especially for robins, sadly I havebt seen any use it! I cant seem to get rhe opening right, its either large enough that pigeons hang off it or too small and nothing goes in, not even the blue tits.

I have tried a tray of food on the floor with a wire hanging basket over the top but the pigeons are still getting in and devouring all of the food!

I just want to give the Robin more of a chance, and a selfishly want to see more of it! How else can I succeed please?!

Hi ILoveCatsAndKittens,
I have at least 4 robins that live in my garden, and none of them eat out of the bird feeder. They eat out of a flat dish on a pole that stands in a plant pot or off the ground. I only feed on the ground when my cats are staying indoors for obvious reasons! The pigeons will eat from the ground, but I just chase them away by making a noise. I usually feed the birds around the same time each day, and the robins hang around waiting. They also like mealworms, if you can get any.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oakdale-Squirrel-Resistant-Seed-Feeder/dp/B0D47V3FGD?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P9LUP0FJJQP7

i have two of these and they are brilliant