Squirrel Buster, nut and nibble feeder

3.25 out of 5

12

I bought on of these a couple of years ago. The squirrels can't get to the nuts, but the birds won't use it. I've tipped out all the nuts and refreshed them several times, and have tried it in different places, to no avail.

I really love this! In answer to other reviewers - yes the section which birds can feed from is smaller than the whole, but thats the case with many feeders - not normally those that can take peanuts but I think this is a virtue as it protects more from the rain. Because it's weighted, it's essential also. There has to be a specific place where the weight is applied (where the birds hang on in other words!) so that the mechanism can operate. I have found that tinkering with the resistance has made it successfully jackdaw proof (and we have a lot of jackdaws!). I feel rather guilty because initially they were fine and now they're looking at it in a mystified manner and giving it their best shot ;-). It's absolutely brilliant for woodpeckers...definitely the best feeder I've ever had. Beforehand we had one that they could use but barely ever did. Within a very short time, we now have 3 lesser spotteds visiting it - I've never seen a woodpecker queue before!! The tail rest is so perfectly suited to them. I don't think it's fair to complain if parts break when the feeder falls to the ground. It's a delicate mechanism - just ensure it's firmly attached and can't fall! I hasten to add the metal outer is very sturdy, and the entire thing feels secure and resilient. I'm really pleased with it. Having 3 woodpeckers is super cool - and the little birds love it too :-). Yes it's more expensive than other feeders but it does the job and is a clever piece of engineering. Just buying a second one now!

This feeder has worked well for a couple of years attracting small birds as well as Great Spotted Woodpeckers. But it was dislodged from a hook which had been pinched half-closed and fell to the ground which broke the plastic thread which controls the tension on the central spring. No way to fix that.

I have a running battle with corvids, not squirrels, who were systematically destroying my peanut feeders, as well as costing a fortune in food. This device, though a little fiddly to fill, works a treat.The corvids are to he y to feed, but none of the smaller birds, including the woodpeckers, have any problems feeding.. Expensive but ultimately worth it.

I’ve had this feeder for months , yet the birds still haven’t got used to it. The feeding area is actually very small. Above this is a plastic cylinder surrounded by a metal grid. Below is more metal grid. I often see birds pecking at these grids instead of the feeding area. I’ve tried both nuts and nibbles to attract different birds but still the same problem. Occasionally a bird manages to feed but even if I just fill the small feeding area, I still end up throwing away more food than they eat.

The feeder works very well. I have a running battle with squirrels and have run through several hundred pounds worth of 'anti-squirrel feeders'. This one actually works, so it is excellent value for money!

It did work, that is, for about 18 months, until the squirrels 'demolished' the feeder and and ran off with various bits, rendering the feeder useless.

RSPB customer service to the rescue, and while they could not replace a nut and plastic knob on the feeder's bottom, they gave me the number of the manufacturer, who did send me those parts. Now the feeder works perfectly, but I think a locking washer next to the nut is a good idea for the future.

This feeder actually stops squirrels stealing all the peanuts! It's still amusing watching them trying to get the peanuts but failing every time, although most have learnt very quickly not to bother! The birds took a couple of days to get used to it as it looks different to other feeders, but they now happily feed without worrying about the squirrels.

First one replaced by Jacobi Jayne after six months - problem with spring- feeding ports remaining closed.
The second one is useless as jackdaws are having a feast as the feeder does NOT close when they land on it.

RSPB response: Thank you for your review, sorry to hear you had problems with your first feeder which was faulty and meant you needed a replacement.
The feeder is not designed to close when jackdaws (average weight 250g) land on it, it is designed for the weight of a squirrel(average 400-600g) and will close when they land on the ports thus locking the squirrels out but allowing the birds to feed.

Bought in October 2015.. Used to feed the birds with RSPB buggy nibbles. Yes, the squirrels have been beaten, but not the jackdaws! Adjusting the setting has made no difference, they soon finish off all the 'nibbles'.
Worse still today (March 30th, 2016), the spring has broken and the 'opening' is permanently closed! After less than six months in use, the metal is rusting. Obviously, I am very disappointed.

RSPB response: Thank you for your review. We are very sorry it absolutely should not break after 6 months this is a fault and the feeder should be replaced if it hasn't been already. Please contact our customer services team to do this.

This feeder effectively stops squirrels but has the disadvantage of large mesh. This means that birds such as jays or magpies can easily extract whole peanuts or they can shake the feeder so that nuts fall to the ground. Feeder thus needs refilling daily.
We have found that a simple mesh feeder is more economical even though the squirrels use it as well as the birds.

RSPB response: Thank you for your review, the mesh sounds too large in your feeder, please contact customer services who will replace this for you.

Within one day the squirrels have packed their bags and gone back to the woods and the little birds are guzzling! I also love that because the holes are a bit smaller than other feeders I have had they can't just pinch a nut and fly off - they have to stay and nibble which is brilliant! Should save a fortune in nuts that squirrels - who have plaqued us for months - have been foiled. Look forward to my woodpeckers coming back home to their "friendly feeder" Thanks RSPB

I also bought this feeder a few weeks ago for feeding peanuts and have found this to be excellent at deterring the attentions of the squirrels and in fact it has been quite amusing to watch their antics in trying to get to the peanuts but to no avail. It also has the advantage that it does still allow the parakeets to feed but only one at a time so they no longer mob the feeder resulting in it ending up on the ground. I would definitely recommend this feeder and feel it is both well made and good value.