Bird table wire mesh size.

[Dave H]

Whatever bird feeder and seed we have put out in our garden has not been as good as the Michelin 4* dining experience a few gardens away.
So, we thought that we should try out a bird table instead of a hanging feeder. Like most gardens, we have larger hungry visitors which can snap up all we put out quite quickly, so if we cover the table with mesh, the larger birds will stay off the table.

Does anyone have a design for such a table, or know what mesh size would be suitable to allow Tits, Finches and similar to get in?

Dave

[Dave H]

A little surfing searching on feeder tables for sale popped up a range (£60-£149!!!) which made a point of its stainless steel mesh of 38mm. Allows tits and other small birds to feed.

So 38mm is a good starting point. Should keep off some of the hungry hoards I'll leave some food for them on the garage roof.

[dazarooney]

Something from this site would possibly be fine:

Wire Mesh

[Dave H]

Thanks for the link and welcome to the forum, Dazarooney.
I didn't get around to making a fenced birdtable, perhaps this year I will try again.

Since I looked at making a table, I had thought about "weaving" my own fence from those very thin green sticks from the garden centre, they look like thin canes.

Dave

[PeterB]

Dave, I use a 50mm square mesh, it's widely available in plastic and metal and different colours. Plastic is not a good option if you have squirrels.

I have a lot of brown plastic spare if you want some. I'll bring it Saturday.

[Dave H]

Originally Posted by PeterB

Dave, I use a 50mm square mesh, it's widely available in plastic and metal and different colours. Plastic is not a good option if you have squirrels.

I have a lot of brown plastic spare if you want some. I'll bring it Saturday.

Thanks for the thought, Peter, but I don't really need any. My bird table plans are on hold. When asked what we wanted for our anniversary present, imagining a glass vase or bowl or some such ornament would arrive if I didn't make a suggestion, I told them that we would enjoy a bird feeder hanger thingy. (not that there's anything wrong with vases, bowls etc, it's the thought that counts ). Now we've got a super-duper hanger with more feeder attachments than I know what to do with. And we've got birds that will only take crushed walnuts.

We do have squirrels, having seen how they can open up a tough plastic feeder in next to no time, makes me agree that a plastic mesh might not last long.

Oh! I should say at least the squirrels aren't fussy eaters!
Did you know that peanuts take root and grow in the North of England? I know. Some neighbour nearby feeds them peanuts in shells (monkey nuts?). My garden and gardens all around are full of the things.
I can just imagine the squirrel feeding neighbours telling their friends that the squirrels are always hungry!

Dave

[pandion60]

Originally Posted by Dave H

Thanks for the thought, Peter, but I don't really need any. My bird table plans are on hold. When asked what we wanted for our anniversary present, imagining a glass vase or bowl or some such ornament would arrive if I didn't make a suggestion, I told them that we would enjoy a bird feeder hanger thingy. (not that there's anything wrong with vases, bowls etc, it's the thought that counts ). Now we've got a super-duper hanger with more feeder attachments than I know what to do with. And we've got birds that will only take crushed walnuts.

We do have squirrels, having seen how they can open up a tough plastic feeder in next to no time, makes me agree that a plastic mesh might not last long.

Oh! I should say at least the squirrels aren't fussy eaters!
Did you know that peanuts take root and grow in the North of England? I know. Some neighbour nearby feeds them peanuts in shells (monkey nuts?). My garden and gardens all around are full of the things.
I can just imagine the squirrel feeding neighbours telling their friends that the squirrels are always hungry!

Dave

I didn't know peanuts could grow here, well in the north of england. Learn something new everyday. Enjoy your new feeding station.