My cherry tree at the end of the garden was dead. Killed by a nasty bush I bought from woollies years ago. After attacking the bush with a chainsaw amd removing all the branches I had an idea. I would use the trunk of the cherry tree as the stand for a bird table. I found some nice bits of plywood used for packing material in work and set about it with my jugsaw and tins of preservative and odd scraps of wood and, even if I say so myself, I was pretty impressed with my work.

The table was attached to the dead tree trunk and a few hooks added to hang varying bird feeders. For a few weeks the only visitors were a couple of fat pigeons that sat on the table and ate everything there but left the stuff in the feeders then word must have got around in the bird community. Gradfually more and more birds of varying types started turning up (Don't ask me what types) and having a scoff.

But now it is costing me a fortune, The two fat ball feeders and two seed feeders plus bowls on the table itself are emptied daily. A peanut feeder is not as popular but still lasts just a week. A large bag of seed costs me £8.99 and lasts for seven days refills, 50 fat balls cost £6,99 (They go through seven a day).

I don't want to cut off the food supply to the birds that have now come to rely on it, particularly the young ones just out of their nests, but i cannot sustain this level of expenditure for ever.

Any ideas?

You're just a big softy at heart, aren't you, Mandy

I've no idea what you can do. Maybe you could sow some of the seeds and then harvest more after they grow. Have a look here, it may have some advice and it may help you identify your feathered visitors: http://www.rspb.org.uk/

Interesting Misty. It should have been obvious but I never thought to look there.

After reading through the part on feeding birds I shall be supplementing the bought in stuff with breakfast cereals and uneaten rice and dog food. Might save me a pound or two over the year.

Try makeing your own fat balls. that would save you a few £'s

I made some using lard and seed. They melted in the sun but the birds had lots of fun pecking the puddles off the ground. I'll have to look around for cheap suet. In the meantime I have bought another bucket of balls.

The dog food is going down a treat though they don't seem too fussed on rice.

Birds generally don't need feeding in the summer, there's plenty of berries and other stuff for them to eat. They need feeding in the winter, when food is more scarce.

Actually, summer is almost as bad for some birds as winter. Berries don't really start appearing until late summer/early autumn. The insect eaters can eat their fill though