Gardman Squirrel Proof Nut & Seed Feeder

I have customised my Gardman Squirrel Proof Nut & Seed Feeder by cutting the top off a lemonade bottle and inserting it (lid on and facing upwards) This means the nuts keep running down to the bottom outer edge so the birds eat them instead of the nuts compacting in the centre and starting to decompose. It works brilliantly well and means the nut feeder remains hygienic and doesn't start to smell!

I bought a Gardman Squirrel Proof Nut & Seed Feeder recently, instead of Gardmans other dual feeder. I figured if they bother to market a squirrel proof one, then it probably means the other one will get trashed easily.

It's been hung up for over a week now. The braver birds pounced on it straight away.

In case there is no picture included with this, I will describe the item... It is mostly of metal construction, with an overhang top and hanging ring, two twist together compartments fit below the top; the upper one being the nut feeder, the lower the seed feeder with perches and feeding traps. The squirrels have had a good climb all over it and left empty handed so far.

The biggest problem seems to be the tit family of birds don't want to cling to the side of the nut feeding section. It is essentially just a cage section like many other nut feeders. There are no perches by this section. There is a small collection ring, which I thought they might cling to, but they seem oblivious to the fact it's a cage feeder. They prefer to skip around the perches at the seed feeder section and pull out specific seeds they like. I'm guessing that the proximity of the overhang lid is perhaps making them too nervous to fly straight on to the cage section.

The nuts remain untouched after a week. It will be interesting to see if they learn to trust it and use it, otherwise it's a major design fault.