What a plebs lot they are!!

[tim]

I know I've said it before - this is the last time before I chuck the thing out.

I give them the Hilton (brilliant design) & for 6 months they have ignored it. So - out! = Tim

[tim]

[rosebud]

What a great shame it looks great, but there has to be a good reason they wont use it i wonder what it is?.  ???

[sandersj89]

What a great shame it looks great, but there has to be a good reason they wont use it i wonder what it is?.  ???

Could be the reflections from the globe that is putting them off. How about giving it a quick spray of paint to take the edge of it?

Jerry

[tim]

Nice thought. But - they wouldn't  then see the seeds inside?? = Tim

[sandersj89]

Nice thought. But - they wouldn't  then see the seeds inside?? = Tim

I think they may still see them, especially with the lower fat ball hanging below the globe. And once they suss out that the food is there there will be nothing to stop them!

Jerry

[tim]

Strangely, they hardly ever touch the fat either.

I'm going to try something & I'll report back. = Tim

[Marianne]

I think the problem stems from the fact that birds do not like to feel "trapped" and will therefore not enter the globe.  It's a shame but that is how they are.

Say if a cat approached, they could not fly "up" but woule be forced down and into the cat's mouth. 
:o

[tim]

Miles above cats, but good thinking. So why do the 'bird experts' design such an expensive - & apparently well thought out - thing?? = Tim

[sandersj89]

Miles above cats, but good thinking. So why do the 'bird experts' design such an expensive - & apparently well thought out - thing?? = Tim

As in so many things these days........design before function!

Jerry

[Marianne]

Tim

These bird feeders are not always manufactured by bird lovers - some of them obviously want to sell their products without unfortunately thinking any further than that.

But I am 99% sure that is the problem with the one that you own.  The birds know of the danger of entrapment, should a cat or other predator approach whilst they are feeding.

Can you take the "bowl" bit appart?

[tim]

Sadly no. Its whole design is to give constant food in a rainproof, squirrel-proof, poo-proof - & bird-proof(?) - manner. But I have plans. = Tim

[Marianne]

Tim,

I was wondering whether it would be possible to drill some holes (say about 8 inches diameter) in the said plastic bowl - this would then enable the feeding birds to fly away should the necessity arise.  If drilling is not possible, maybe a solder gun or similar tool would then melt the plastic. 
The seed would still remain dry (ish) and the birds would like it better.

wish you luck with your plans ! ;)

[Yellow Petals]

That's a very good idea Marianne :)

Any news, Tim?

[skypilot]

Tim, I think a domesticated bird would revel in that design, but like some of the other contributors, I feel that wild birds would feel too insecure to enter it.

I would suggest boring a hole each side at the seed hoppers and putting a small perch either side (on the outside of the globe) at base level.

I would then cut out a rectangular panel on the seed hopper either side of the globe
and replace it by glueing  suitable gauze to allow the birds access to the seed inside.

Rather defeats the objkect of the initial design but I think it would work then. :)

[Georgie]

And just to add insult to injury, can I just pass on a piece of advice I read recently about not using plastic netting for bird food.  Apparently birds can injure themselves on the netting by getting their claws entangled.  If you buy nuts or fat balls like this, take them out of the netting and drop into a suitable plastic or metal feeder.  Defeats the object of a ready made dispenser, I know, but I hate the idea of good intentions leading to harm. 

G xx

[lilylover]

Just to confirm georgie's message.. I have 3 fat balls in netting hanging on one tree and a fat ball container in another minus netting.....guess which one is used  ;) Yep ..netless......those with netting totally ignored ::)

[Multiveg]

The blue tits and other birdies don't object to the netted fat balls in the wire frame thingy - they seem quite tame as my little monster is able to stand about 6ft away saying "Birdie" with them not flying away every time!