Ground feeders

Ground bird feeders are specifically designed bird feeders that are placed on the ground to attract and feed ground-feeding birds. Ground bird feeders can come in various designs and sizes, but they all have a shallow tray or platform that holds bird seed, nuts, mealworms or fruit.

What birds you see use the ground feeder will be dependent on season and location. Species of birds that enjoy feeding from the ground include wrens, blackbirds, sparrows, robins, and thrushes.

Ground bird feeders are best placed in an open and visible part of your garden. This makes the feeder easy to find for the birds whilst also giving them good visible coverage of their surroundings alerting them to potential predators.

Keeping squirrels away from a ground bird feeder can be a challenge as they can be incredibly persistent. Although no method is totally squirrel-proof, for ground feeders its best to use a ground bird feeder cage or guardian. This will block access from squirrels but will still allow small birds through to feed.

Carefully slide out the tray and discard any leftover food in the bin. Use a sponge to apply warm soapy water to loosen any debris. Use a bird table scraper for any tough bits of food or dirt and once it’s looking clean, spray on some non-toxic disinfectant and leave for a few minutes to kill any germs, then thoroughly rinse the feeder with clean, fresh water and allow it to fully dry before refilling with food. Be sure to clean your feeder regularly, especially with wet weather or heavy use to prevent the spread of disease and ensure the health of the birds.