Bird Feeders on my plot - Yay or Nay?

[Gemizzel]

I am new to our allotment and before I ask the committee if I can put some fat balls up I just wanted to ask what the general consensus was..

Are feeders welcomed or do they attract unwanted visitors?

[alldigging]

The squirrels are into robbing them whole round here. Stopped putting them out unless I used the nut feeder.
They may well attract more than birds.

[Guest]

I would look to letting things go to seed for the birds rather than purposely putting food out. Plants like teasels and sunflowers or allow the birds some of your crop (should you have a glut) or forking the ground over so they can get the worms. Even if the committee is ok you can guarantee someone will be moaning.

[muddled]

If you have somewhere to hang them that rats can't get them. (so on my site they are a no-no) however, the seed and peanut type feeders are fine.

Birds are generally good news on allotments. They eat slug eggs and weed seeds.
It is the gardeners responsibilty to net what they don't want eaten.

(sorry NG....looks like I'm arguing but actually I just cross posted )

[Bren In Pots]

I am new to our allotment and before I ask the committee if I can put some fat balls up I just wanted to ask what the general consensus was..

Are feeders welcomed or do they attract unwanted visitors?

Gemizzel have a read at this thread from October :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ers_82256.html

ultimately it will be down to your committee but its always good to hear what others say.

[Gemizzel]

Thank you. Will see what the committee say - no harm in asking is there?

[hamesy]

Surely a simple feeder doesn't require permission from the committee?

I've had nut feeders on all my plots and no one as said anything. The plots are always full with birds which helps with the slugs and other pests not only on your plot but also the neighbouring plots.

[Alison]

Thankfully we don't have a committee so no problems there . I have one of those posts with hooks on which I hang feeders on next to my wildlife pond. Am all for attracting wildlife and encouraging predators.

[Gemizzel]

Surely a simple feeder doesn't require permission from the committee?

I've had nut feeders on all my plots and no one as said anything. The plots are always full with birds which helps with the slugs and other pests not only on your plot but also the neighbouring plots.

Its not that I needed permission as such I just didnt want to put one up and upset anyone so just wanted to make sure they were ok with it - which they are

[Two_Sheds]

no harm in asking is there?

oh, bless, you're new to committees aren't you ?

[arpoet]

Its always good to have an area for windlife. You could site your feeders there, sow wildflowers, have a log pile, somewhere that us unproductive, or shaded. Most birds are welcome in my garden, apart from them flying pigs. Alas, we are very close to woodlands, so sometimes the pigs win.

[Greenleaves]

I have had a few people frown at mine but I get the enjoyment of watching the birds when taking a break. The birds are an extension to my pest control methods.

[mothhawk]

My peony produced a mass of huge flowers last summer, and I put it down to having the bird feeder in that spot all winter - free fertiliser applied a little at a time for 3 months

[Coopers]

Glad to see this question. Ive been in two minds myself. I grabbed a cheap bird house of ebay for the allotment but then been in two minds.

I have seen a bird box at my allotment right at the other end so i assume the committee would be fine with a bird table but my neighbouring plot holder is a nice guy whose been on the plot for years but as i don't see him often enough i cant really check with him.

My other neighbour is a pain and moans about everything. Nothing more to say on that but just wanted to vent hes a pain