Are birds clever or what?

I regularly feed the birds and I was finding the three tubular feeders (seed, peanuts and fat balls) on the ground, which I was putting down to the wind. I replaced the screws they were hanging from with large cup hooks.



I was convinced that they would keep the feeders in place. However, I am finding that every couple of mornings the feeders will be lying on the ground. I have not witnessed it but I am convinced the birds (the Jackdaws or the Magpies) are lifting the feeders off the hooks, dropping them on the ground, and then getting easy access to the contents. I'll have to try setting up a camera and see if I can catch them at it.

 

It could be jackdaws, magpies or crows Jocko. Even squirrels or foxes. If the feeders are plastic then something heavier may help, but I think you will need to find something that stops them lifting them off.

 

I haven't seen any Crows in the garden. We don't have Squirrels or Foxes, just a Rabbit and a Hedgehog. I'll see what I have in the garage and maybe glue something heavy to the bottom. I know I have a couple of lump hammers!

 

Just ordered some of these.

 

First thing this morning two of the three feeders were on the ground again so I took them away until I have the secure hooks in place.

 

They should do the job nicely.