We regularly put out a hanging feeder containing peanuts for the blue t*ts and others birds in our garden. Unfortunately they seldom get much of a look in these days because as soon as the feeder is refilled with nuts some green parakeets arrive and feast on them until they have eaten nearly everything.
We also have one of those peanut feeders that has a wire cage around it to deter squirrels and larger birds but the t*ts around here are not at all keen on using it, so I'm looking for an alternative way to feed the small birds but not the large ones.
I know that hot chilli powder on the peanuts will deter squirrels from eating them but does anyone know of something similar which might deter these wretched parakeets?
Parakeets may be pretty birds to look at occasionally but when you regularly get LOTS of them sitting in the trees, squawking loudly, and dropping 'droppings', as they do in this South East London area, ones benevolent attitude towards an otherwise attractive bird definitely starts to harden.
Does anyone know of any proven, and not outrageously expensive, bird feeders that will allow us to feed our blue t*ts and NOT the parakeets? I'm very willing to build a DIY device if anyone knows of a design that actually does work.
In order to keep the RSPB off our backs, I guess I'll have to stop JUST short of 'termination with extreme prejudice'. ;-)
TIA - Dave.