Adjustable ground feeding sanctuary

4.0 out of 5

66

Bought this as I thought would prevent pigeons hoovering up all the sunflower seeds

Although it achieved this the mesh is too small for blackbirds so they are frustrated as can see the grapes and seeds but cannot get in

Also trying to hang other feeder inside is a nightmare due to it construction

Wish I had not bothered

OK. I have said I would recommend it as I have a pigeon / starling problem however it might need an adjustment to it by the buyer, depending on what birds you have issues with.
Been using this for 2 or 3 months and birds have already found the flaws
Quality is largely good but the adjustment to the mesh size is fiddly to get right and looks likley to rust (other reviews confirm this happens)
It generally keeps big birds out but I was wondering why the food inside was going quickly, when the sparrows and tits were largely eating from my hanging feeders.. I discovered the answer by watching the feeder closely.
Most starlings can't get through the holes in the sides, made smaller by the adjustment mechanism or the holes in the roof, which are quite small. Hence they circled it and stuck their beaks through the holes to pick off the food close to the mesh.
A couple of them seem to have worked out the weakness. The adjustable mesh only starts at the third hole up. For some reason the holes in the bottom 2 rows are larger than those in the roof (Why ?)
Whilst they can'r walk through the larger holes at the bottom, some of them (perhaps the smaller ones) have worked out if they 'charge' at the holes they can force themselves through. Would wonder if they don't damage their legs in doing this. They then hoover up the food and then charge the bottom holes again to get out.
The simple solution is to extend the adjustable mesh to the bottom holes. Alternatively make the bottom holes smaller (same as in the roof) without the adjustment function. This might also be the reason why hedgehogs get stuck in them (see other reviews). I'm surprised that a Co like RSPB, with it's knowledge and experience can make this mistake.
The buyer adjustment requirement is to put some other form of mesh around the bottom holes (I plan to use plastic gutter guard, attached with cable ties but no guarantee this won't put the birds off). However this adds cost to the already quite expensive cost, hence why I have said it is not great value. RSPB please amend your designs / get better testing and review processes....................and send me a free revised item please.

I am partly pleased with this product. It does appear to keep out my 7 squirrel invaders so far. They have tried digging. and I have had to place stones around the base. The problem is when opening the flap. The whole structure warps and its difficult to close it again. I open it to hang feeders inside. Its very unsatisfactory and badly designed. The four wingnuts must be aligned perfectly and its a real struggle.to hold the shape and tighten them. I will have to grease them as they are starting to rust. So practically speaking its useless when needing to open the flap. Otherwise so far alright but could have a sturdier build. I would be interested to hear how others are managing the flap opening and closing.

I've had one of these in the garden for many years alongside visiting hedgehogs and no problems. However, this morning I found a hedgehog well and truly stuck in the wide side of the mesh. It was alive but exhausted, and the only way to get it out was to trim its spines and ease it out backwards. We popped it in a pet carrier with mealworms and water and, fortunately, it revived and took itself off under the woodpile. PLEASE remove these from ground level at night so hedgehogs can't be tempted to climb in. The feeder does the job really well at keeping out the pigeons and other large birds and is really strong (we couldn't cut through the mesh to release the hedgehog). It's a great asset to my small garden birds and I wouldn't be without it - though it'll be going in the greenhouse at night from now on.

I've had one of these for many years along with regular hedgehogs in the garden, and no problems. However, this morning I found a large hedgehog well and truly jammed in the wide side of the cage. It was exhausted but alive, and the only way to get it out was to trim its spines and ease it out backwards. PLEASE

...of this nature. The nearest alternative (the square, boxy thing) is only good for flirting its plastic connector pieces around the garden. This one works - with some adjustment. After lots of experiment, I found that the best arrangement is with the roof panels separated and fixed in place so that there is a fairly wide gap at the apex, or ridge of the roof. (As if the panels had slid apart and half way down the walls.) Small birds have a choice of entry - through the mesh or by flying in from above through the "sky light". This latter route was soon sussed by, e.g., blackbirds, robins, blue tits... An unexpected bonus is that squirrels seem stymied by the gables, and totally unable to overcome the barriers of the 'skirts' of the overhanging roof panels. I'm happy with it, and I can live with all the rust points that quickly developed (43 at last count - mostly at welded joints) It'll last a few years. I'm thinking of a second one...

The first thing to say is that I bought this cage and an RSPB ground feeding table as a christmas present for someone in my family. However, one of the boxes had the RSPB logo and pictures of the product all over it when they were delivered, which meant everyone could see what it was inside, and that rather spoiled the surprise. If you're thinking of ordering RSPB products as surprise christmas gifts for someone who lives with you, you may wish to keep this is mind.

Having abandoned the notion of giving it as a gift, we went ahead and set this cage in the garden and, on the whole it works really well. For members of the tit family and other birds of a similar size, it's manner from heaven. It keeps the starlings, crows and squirrels out with no problems. I haven't even needed to use the pegs to pin it down, as the cage itself is heavy enough on its own to deter most animals. I have had a problem enticing House Sparrows into the cage. They are slightly larger than the tits, and the gaps in the none adjustable part of the cage seem to be a bit of a tight squeeze for them. As a consequence, they seem extraordinarily wary of it and, as of yet, just stand around it looking in through the bars. Even when I adjust the sides to make the holes bigger, they just seem unable to work it out. I'm hoping it will just take time for them to get used to it. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced a similar issue?

I found this very difficult to construct, not least of all because some of the panels were bent. The instructions were not good and better diagrams may have helped. I am disappointed with the result as I had to do some DIY to actually get it to fit together....hence the low rating.

The cage certainly does what it is supposed to and the smaller garden birds took to it very quickly. However, I am disappointed that after only a few months usage the cage is rusting in several places. This aspect is very disappointing.

I wasn't certain it was worth spending the amount required to buy this sanctuary. However, now it's in use in our garden I think it's worth every penny. We have the usual pigeons and crows. I don't mind them as such - I feed them as well - but they do eat a lot more than the smaller birds, and much faster. So if it's free for all how do the little ones get a look in?

We now have the sanctuary sitting on a small patio under our crab apple tree, protecting a pile of seed I've put out. I love watching the smaller birds hop in and out at will, whilst the pigeons and crows look on.

SUPERB!

Absolutely squirrel proof. They try hard but four months on they haven't succeeded. Sadly the blackbirds can't make use of it. We hang the suet balls in there which the little birds now get to eat. They used to be eaten by starlings and crows.

This product has already paid for itself within two weeks by simply preventing the starlings from stealing all the treats I'd left for the robins and blue-tits that abound in my area.

I was so frustrated as I felt the little ones were penalised because the bigger birds were too greedy. I do not have a garden as I live on the first floor of a block, however, I already had a feeding station from RSPB so I tried to hook this protective cage on top and it worked a treat. The only draw back is that I had to seal the bottom to ensure the starlings didn't find a way to sneak in. I used the cardboard board that the cage came in to cut a bottom part out.

So far, so good... My little birds took to it instantly and they now have plenty to eat when I'm abroad. The big ones never managed to break in and as a result no longer bother to come on my balcony and make a big mess.

I whole heartily recommend this product to anyone who has a similar problem with herds of starlings.

If you can apply some plastic film on top of the cardboard bottom it will last longer as the rain may make it soggy and it may fall off eventually. In the meantime, it works wonders!

I looked everywhere to find a means of protecting my bird feeder from Starlings, Magpies and other large birds that played havoc with food left for smaller birds.
This item has been the answer to the problem, it fits smugly over the feeder and is the perfect solution.
Very satisfied.

This item does a great job. Any bird up to the size of a blackbird can use it quite happily. And the larger birds such as magpies and pigeons can't get near the food at all.

Unfortunately though, the cage isn't big enough to stop the seagulls. The combined length of a seagull beak, head and neck is more than enough to reach the centre of the cage from outside. If you want the blackbirds to get in, you can't keep the seagulls out.

If the cage was just 6 inches wider there wouldn't be any problem at all. Can the RSPB produce a bigger cage?

RSPB response: Hi Linda, thank you for your review we are glad you like your ground feeding sanctuary. Your comments regarding a bigger cage have been passed onto the product team.

When I unpacked the product I was sceptical that the blackbirds would be able to fit through the mesh, but I needn't have worried. They were happily hopping in and out after only 3 days. The smaller birds took to it immediately, with the dunnocks inside within minutes of placement. Now I can put food out without it being gobbled by the pigeons and magpies. Hurray! :)

I bought this to protect the fat ball feeder from the Magpies on my allotment. I saw birds using it almost straight away BUT ....BEWARE! The second day it was on the ground, collapsed, even 'though I had pegged it down. I then pegged it with about a dozen tent pegs. Ha ha I thought! NO. A badger or fox had dug a hole large enough to fit the Titanic and gone in from underneath I must admit I couldn't help laughing. Anyway, I now have to rethink the whole thing.

I have had this for a couple of years now. Initially got it to stop squirrels - make sure the pegs were hard into the ground and covered with rocks!!. However, squirrels not a problem currently - they seem to have gone elsewhere. So now I leave top open and blackbirds can hop in but the pigeons and magpies don't - success.

Small birds happily hop in and out through the sides.

I was a bit hasty in posting my original review in that the manufacturer has now contacted me and I am being sent a nut feeder as a gester of goodwill following the problem with my ground feeding sanctuary.

This cage is excellent at keeping dogs, cats, crows and collared doves off my ground feeder tray. (Not so many squirrels round here, even grey ones) Those bigger birds can still stick their heads through, but don't reach very far.
The only thing is, with the mesh at widest gape, blackbirds still can't get through or figure it out. I tried propping the side door open about four inches or so, and they eventually started taking advantage of it. Very gratifying to see them fix the door with a stare, then hop under and in to tuck into suet pellets and apples. Good thing the crows don't seem to trust the open door! I also leave the roof flap unfastened and the pegs... well, unpegged, and have no problems with unwanted intruders so far. That might not work for everyone, though...

Main aim was to stop the starlings totally mobbing the wee birds by having a a protected area (while putting food elsewhere for the starlings, and the blackbirds and collared doves too). It does this 100%. And that it also allows hanging fat feeders within for the wee birds to feed at leisure and not be bullied away is really good. I almost didn't get it due to the dissatisfied customers who made comments regarding its not preventing larger birds and squirrels getting in but I really don't understand this. Squirrels are a lot bigger than starlings, and my starlings are totally flummoxed! It was also easy to assemble. I am delighted that I ignored the negative reviews and purchased this.

I have had this product for some years and apart from finding blackbirds cannot use it I have been satisfied.

However this week I have seen a squirrel inside twice. On going outside it fled through the narrow sized holes.

Today I saw a magpie inside.and watched its struggle to get out again

I no longer think you can say it is squirrel proof July 2015

After spending lots of money on squirrel proof feeders that did not work I purchased this one. I have noted that some of the reviews say that the squirrels still manage to get in from the top. My solution to this was to make a roof and this is how I did it.
Get two squares of clear Perspex and cut it slightly larger than the top of the cage, Using the screws on the cage brackets as a guide to the size holes, and where to drill them on the Perspex sheets, then place them on the top and screw them onto the cage brackets. To seal the join on the top either get some sealant or as I have done just lay some heavy duty carpet tape along it. Not only does it stop the squirrel getting into the cage via the top, it also keeps the seeds dry in the wet weather

I bought this, as one of the other reviewers did, to sit over the roof of my bird table in order to keep the jackdaws off. It has worked so far but I'm not taking my finger off the pulse as they're clever birds.
I have mine on the widest setting so starlings can use it but I haven't seen them get through the narrow roof slots. It has stopped the blackbirds using the table, which I didn't want, think they're just not acrobatic enough...
Sometimes when it is full of starlings it is like being someone from the Victorian times who for some reason keeps a cage of wild birds. No one has got their head stuck in it yet.

I looked for a product that would only let in the small birds, like Robins, Blue Tits etc in. So I thought an adjustable cage would do the job.
Apparently not! It is only adjustable on the length sides of the sanctuary and not on the width and roof, so birds larger (like Starlings) can get in.

I feel that I have been misled by it being called an adjustable sanctuary. Well yes it is adjustable to some degree but I don't see the point in it being adjustable if only two sides of the cage are adjustable!!

RSPB response - Thanks for your review. I will pass your comment to our bird care product team. If you would like to arrange a replacement or refund please contact our Customer Services Team on 0845 1 200 501.

I bought this feeder so that I could feed the blackbirds and any other medium sized and small ground feeding birds. I positioned the feeder with the entry slots at their maximum, and filled the tray I bought with the birds' favourite food. Within 10 minutes the coal tits were there, quickly followed by the blue tits, chaffinches etc. After about another 5 minutes the the blackbirds arrived. They hopped round and round it, perched on top of it trying to work out how to get at their favourite food - but to no avail. After about an hour they gave up. I have not put any other food out today to try to encourage them to work it out. I feel really cruel. But I think they are too big to get in it - it was not for the want of trying on their part. So they have left my garden in search of food elsewhere. On the positive side the pigeons, magpies and pheasant have all stood staring at it, and then wandered around pecking elsewhere.

Also 2 design issues:
- the access flap is in the wrong place and fiddly to open. The fastening would be OK if the access flap was the whole of one side of the roof.
- the roof needs to be designed so as to shield the bird food from the rain - I note that some people have rigged up plastic covers - why are customers spending £20 and then having to do a DIY job?.

This is the second ground sanctuary I have bought and whilst it is an improvement on the flat top one it is still not wide enough to keep out the heads and beaks of mobbing magpies, wood pigeons, jackdaws and even at times gulls! We put plastic 'roofing' over the top as protection from the rain, snow and larger birds but on the whole I have noticed that because of all the ' mobbing' my shyer thrushes, blackbirds and smaller species are really put off a lot of the time. It is driving me mad! Can't stop the squirrells getting in either but I put down nuts to compensate for that and at least it usually stops them from climbing the pole too

only for the fact I had waited 2 weeks for delivery I would have returned this product. Not sure what the quality control is at this firm, but absent in this. What should have taken 30 minutes to put together, took a morning. The holes that the peg should have gone down to secure the door was blocked with paint/ solder. On trying to clear it, it broke off. The metal flanges to secure the roof were bent. Had to be hammered back into shape to get the butterfly screw into the hole. A totally frustrating morning. Certainly not worth the money, and makes me reluctant to order from RSPB again.

RSPB response - Thanks for your review. Our apologies, it sounds like you have received a faulty product. We can assure you that this does not represent the normal quality of products sold by RSPB. Please contact our Customer Services Team to arrange a replacement or refund. We will pass your comments on to the manufacturer.

Bought this last year and initially the ground feeding song birds hopped around outside looking puzzled whilst a juvenile squirrel enjoyed the all-you-can-eat garden buffett.
the cage sat unused outside all winter. Survived well.
With my garden being cat central and the wood pigeons near Turkey size tried again.
A bold black bird entered and now it is being well used. by a range of small and middle sized birds.

I took a risk with this product as I wanted to protect the bird tables. I needn't have worried. It slots perfectly over the pitched roof of the table and rests firmly without any other support needed. Lifts off easily for cleaning and topping up the food.

The small birds love it. The Tits are spending more time at the table instead of the fleeting grab one bit and run method. The Starlings worked it out quickly and the Blackbirds eventually sorted it out.

Despite their best efforts the pigeons are unable to access the food.

I am absolutely delighted!

At last an end to the chore of chasing away wood pigeons! We do not have squirrels and it's probably just as well, as the construction is not too robust: the 'hinges' and retaining pins all smack of cheap manufacture, but 'it does what it says on the tin' and we're very pleased with it. All our birds are certainly happy.

This is the perfect product to protect the feed for garden birds from pigeons and squirrels. Does exactly what is described. Within the hour of putting sanctuary in the garden, the robins, blackbirds, sparrows and finches were inside feeding, without being chased off by the pigeons.
I have now also had visits from a multitude of starlings feeding their young without any interference. I can not thank you enough for this wonderful device, it is an answer to the problem

Unfortunately the squirrels can get in and the pigeons actually push the cage in order to reach the food. Slightly smaller holes and a cage which can be fixed to the tray is needed to sop this.

RSPB response - Thanks for your review. The size of gaps in guardians is always a compromise. In order to prevent ALL squirrels (including small and juvenile ones) from getting inside a guardian, the gaps would have to be so small that even garden birds wouldn't be able to get inside. This is why we never claim our guardians are squirrel 'proof'. They can help deter most adult squirrels. The ground sanctuary is supplied with ground pegs which would prevent pigeons being able to move it.

Purchased with two objectives: (1) Enable safe ground level small bird feeding with no danger of predation by local cat population and (2) prevent food theft by over-fed/over-weight woodpigeons. Result wholly successful, small birds up to and including blackbirds quickly made good use of Sanctuary plus ground level feeding table within. Woodpigeons vanished from garden; presumably to avian Weight-Watchers.

Since purchasing the guardian for the RSPB ground feeder dish we have managed to keep not one but 4 squirrels out from raiding the dish and although they are trying every trick in the book they haven't managed to penetrate the cage yet. It is a clever design which enables you to use a slider to make the mesh slightly smaller, thus we can prevent the larger birds: blackbird, jay, jackdaw, etc., from entering which allows the smaller birds to feed without being bullied off the dish. There is a side (lift) flap for quick access but I tend to flip one side of the roof open so I can get the whole tray out for quick cleaning. Highly recommended, it has been worth the expense.

I've had this little house for over a year, mainly to keep out pigeons and squirrels. The squirrels tried to burrow underneath but I have put the house on a paving slab which just fits inside, that stopped them!
They did try to pull back the wire at the base but didn't get in. It's a constant battle with the squirrel population but I feel part of the battle has been won with this house/cage. The right birds are getting fed and go in and out with no problem.

Unfortunately, as with some previous reviewers, I found this product did not keep squirrels at bay. Squirrels could get in unless the holes were very small, which then denied ground feeders such as blackbirds. Plus the mesh around the door was not robust enough. Our squirrels bent it up to gain access. I no longer use it - so our ground feeders have to rely on scraps dropped below the hanging feeders. A shame.

Keeps out the big fat wood pigeons we are plagued with, sparrows and all finches love it as does the robin. Blackbirds can get their heads in and I've allowed in starlings as there are so few of them these days. Would highly recommend, bought with little wooden table so products together work really well. Exactly what I wanted.

Bought to keep out woodpideons, and it works. Smaller birds quickly got used to it, I allowed starlings in as there seem to be a lot fewer of them these days, all finches get in and feast on goodies even the black bird can get his top half in. Sparrows, finches, robin love it - does just what I wanted

Bought to keep out woodpideons, and it works. Smaller birds quickly got used to it, I allowed starlings in as there seem to be a lot fewer of them these days, all finches get in and feast on goodies even the black bird can get his top half in. Sparrows, finches, robin love it - does just what I wanted

Bought to keep out woodpideons, and it works. Smaller birds quickly got used to it, I allowed starlings in as there seem to be a lot fewer of them these days, all finches get in and feast on goodies even the black bird can get his top half in. Sparrows, finches, robin love it - does just what I wanted

I have a problem with ferrel pigeons, rooks and jackdaws eating all the bird food from my various feeders on a pole. I tried the feeder guards but if anything the guards gave them a better surface to hang on to, they didn't deter squirrels either.
The ground feeding sanctuary however finally does what I need it to, lets in the birds I want to feed and keeps out the bigger ones. I was concerned that the birds would take a long time to take to it, but within 24hours it was being used. I hope I have set the gaps bigger enough to let in the woodpecker, but that the squirrel can't get in, although it hasn't tried yet. My only advice is don't place any food at the edge of the cage, as the bigger birds can get their beaks in to steal food, fat balls etc keep in the middle.

A great product. Keeps out pigeons and the summer food gobbler, Jackdaws. I am contemplating buying another (adjusted for sparrows and similar) but it s a bit pricey so not sure if I can afford this and more food.

My birds took just three hours to use this exellent product.

It wasn't until I saw a squirrel inside eating the seeds that I re read the description and realised that it doesn't claim to be squirrelproof. which is a shame because that's why I wanted it!

My resident robin was very interested in this until he realised that he had to go inside to get the food. He hopped carefully around, inspecting it from all sides, but wouldn't go in at all - I've even tried leaving the door wide open, laying trails of food to the entrance.... He perches on the top when I'm in the garden but that's it.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong! I bought this about a month ago and set it up on my lawn with a some tasty mealworms in the middle. I haven't seen one bird go inside. My robin has gone so far as to sit on top a couple of times but none are brave enough to venture in and the mealworms are still sitting there. The birds visit my bird table and bath daily but will not go near the ground feeding station. It's been a bit of a failure from my point of view, sadly.

I love this sanctuary for the birds. My Robins, Dunnocks, Great Tits, blue tits, coal tits and wrens pay visits and there is always food for them as it doesn't get eaten by the bigger birds! I have one for live mealworms and one for nibbles etc. which works really well. :-D

I bought this to keep out the squirrels and all other large birds as they were taking all the food and leaving none for the little ones. It has done the job. I have it set up so the sides are on the smallest setting which stops the starlings getting in. The small birds went in it as soon as I put it out. I have hung suet treats and nuts off the roof which is very popular. Sadly the blackbirds can't use it but if I made the openings any bigger, the starlings would get in and eat up every morsel!

Really pleased with this product, though the access door is secured by a wing-nut, which needs turning on the inside of the mesh to open the access door (to top up the food). This is really fiddly, even for dextrous fingers. We'll be substituting ours for a clip-lock of some description. The overall design would be improved if the manufacturers were to do this too. Took our birds (the ones we want to feed) only a couple of hours to work out how to use this, and our pesky pigeons are really cross at being left out of the party :)

Easy to assemble - my 8 year old grandson assembled it for me. It does keep out the pigeons - but unfortunately, even with the smallest openings selected, starlings can still get in. It would have been helpful if the description had mentioned this. Perhaps I should have bought the other type of cage?

I bought this cage to stop my Westie from eating the ground mix and suet as these products contain vine fruit which, although loved by the birds, can cause kidney failure IN DOGS. Thought other people should know. Hopefully now my blackbirds and robins can eat in peace away from the sparrow hawk and my westie will remain in good health.

I was pleased with the quality of the product and had no difficulty in setting it up. I needed one to stop our dogs eating the bird food (seeds and all) and it does this perfectly. The smaller birds got used to it very quickly but the chaffinches will not venture in and neither will our blackbirds and it has been out for a few weeks now. Otherwise, good product.

Product exactly as described, delivered promptly. Easy to set up. Concerned whether birds would use it however within a day we had visitors.

Had the sanctuary in place for a month now and have a daily visit from the local robin which is great. I have at widest setting so the young squirrels can still get in (they dont take much) but for some reason the blackbirds wont use it so far - they have a look and then scarper! Overall like the product and certainly helping!

Do not know what I did without this. The pigeons and squirrels have actually stopped coming because they know there is no point nabbing my birdies' food - I get all sorts of birds and know that in the winter, I will be keeping lots of them alive. Have recommended this to everyone.

I carefully read the reviews for this and the other cube shaped feeder cover. I bought this one based on all this feedback. I had not used a ground feeder in my garden before as I am plagued by rooks as well as pheasants and wood pigeons. My birds are delighted and robins and tits started using it within 3 days. Of course the squirrels are getting in but when everyone is used to it, I am planning to reduce the guage a bit and try and deter some of the squirrels.... but I am especially pleased to have beaten the rooks!!!

I was sceptical about buying this, thinking it would seem too much like a cage to the birds. It took them a long time to accept it (well over a month) but now all our birds use it more than the hanging feeder. It keeps out the London pigeons and squirrels and the urban foxes haven't found a way in yet - though pigeons regularly strain their necks through the bars for any stray seed near the perimeter. We've adjusted the sides to their widest setting so the ground feeding blackbirds are now able to use it too. We use the RSBB mesh tray in the centre of the sanctuary to keep the birdfood in good condition. We found the sanctuary easy to assemble and it seems to be holding up to outdoor exposure well so far. I'm glad I took a chance on this working.

Arrived with parts missing so couldn't use it on the day it arrived. Second one arrived 2 days later which also had parts missing but once they arrived and it was put together it was used straight away and is extremely popular with the birds. I've allowed access for most birds including Starlings and Blackbirds as my main reason for buying this item was too prevent the Pigeons and Squirrels.
It is such a joy to see the adult Robins who spy me filling the table then fly in to have a feast and take some to feed their young :)

Tried this for a few weeks to no avail. At any one time there have only been two birds in the sanctuary. The other birds seemed to disappear until the cage was removed. We did not expect the birds to use straight away but thought they would get used to it eventually. Sorry but I feel this is a waste of money.

We bought this cage to stop the Blackbirds eating the robins food, we adjusted the sides to allow the robins in but not the blackbirds that have their own food, the blackbirds can't get in, but we have found that the robins can also enter through the ends. We have put plastic on the roof to stop the robin food getting wet. We have several robins visiting, and two are a pair and if the male expands his chest to the female much more we feel it could burst. Because of this cage we now have fat and happy robins, with all the other birds that we feed.

am new to feeding birds and am of certain age so have mixed views re starlings!!!. Have been feeding my 3 robins livefoods and can't afford for the starlings to hoover up the livefood. Tried putting vaseline on the pole that I put my mealworm feeder on (a 'Tom & Jerry' moment!!) but that didn't stop em! last resort was this sanctuary. I didn't have high hopes of it being used but the day I put it out in came my robins!! (Yeaaaahhhhh) I also have a Great Tit who is very partial to maggots and he was in the sanctuary too after the mealworms - the maggots have gone in there now too. My 11 blackbirds are NOT happy they cannot get into the robins food but I do feed them very close to the house so its the bravest that get the mealworms!!! Only time will tell if the starlings can get in!

Sturdy with great features. Roof opens, side door and adjustable panels. The main structure has fixed apertures (28wx55h) with adjustment on the two vertical long-sides up to about 50mm width. Claims Starlings need 45mm but I have found that I need to reduce to 35mm or less to keep them out. Nothing against Starlings - except that they feed in hoards and food lasts no time at all with no one else getting a look-in. Thanks to this cage my Dunnock, Robins & Grey Wagtails can feed in peace (latter happy with smallest aperture). I also have the cheaper protector but this one pays for itself in no time with the amount of food saved from the greedy guys.

I bought this cage to stop pigeons eating all the groundfood and making a mess everywhere and was persuaded by reviews that suggested Blackbirds could easily get through the mesh. Sadly, this did not prove to be the case and all birds shunned the cage - until I opened the flap and then the pigeons had a field day! Now, within minutes of cutting bigger holes (snipping some of the cross strands of wire) in the ends and roof, the Blackbirds are using the facility with great gusto. I think the design needs some modification to prevent disappointment in other purchasers.

Much better constructed etc than the rectangular one also on offer. Check size of your floor table though as the table I had which went inside the rectangular cover is too big for this one. But its a great table cover this.

I bought the sanctuary as the pigeons were polishing off the food as soon as it went down. On the largest mesh size the blackbirds can easily hop in. I've only had it down a few hours and they are in already, but the pigeons are stuck. The only pity is that the squirrels can get in, but since they need a hole smaller than the blackbirds its either both or neither!

This definitely needs a lot of time for the birds to get used to it. Even with mealworms inside, it took a couple of weeks for the robins to venture in, and finally, about another 4 weeks later, the sparrows have joined them. Main drawback is that unless it's set to the tiniest setting, the starlings can still get in! I feed them as well, but just don't want them getting ALL the mealworms instantly. I watched a determined one today ram its way through, so may not deter the most kamikaze starlings!