RSPB Ultimate easy-clean seed feeder + guardian, M

Purchased med feeder to replace existing older style because the green guard was rusty and squirrels had gnawed at the feeding ports. The new one has a better designed protector but it is silver and ugly, the sunflower seeds do not flow through the feeding ports properly, I positioned it in exactly the same as the old one and the birds which previously flocked to the old one would not use it.. It is easier to dismantle but its ugly and doesn't work, not very progressive!

It took several weeks for the birds to get used to the feeder. Now beseiged by sparrows, blue tits, goldfinches, greenfinches and the odd passing bullfinch. Very effective at keeping the squirrels out. I bought a second one - and they took weeks to get used to that one.

We bought this as we had problems with squirrels and a lot of pigeons. So far they have been unable to get to the seeds but have not yet given up. All the smaller bluetits etc and robins are still using this feeder but all our Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Chaffinches have stopped coming since we put this up. We used to have up to 12 Goldfinches down at a time but now we have none at all. The pigeons are so messy that we have no choice but to keep using this with the guardian but I am sad to see that so many of our regular birds are just no longer coming after being in the garden for years. On the first day we put it up a couple of Goldfinches went inside so I know they can get in, they just don't seem to want to.

This is the best bird seed feeder I have ever had - and I've had a few!

It has incorporated feedback on previous feeder design weaknesses to create an excellent high quality feeder. The cage effectively stops large birds such as pigeons and squirrels from accessing the feeder openings and it can be easily refilled and cleaned. The tray catches the seeds and stops them falling to the ground.

Some reviews say this cage is too big. The previous version of the cage had holes that were too large; also the distance between the outside of the cage and the feeder openings was too small. This meant that large birds and squirrels were able to reach the feeder openings and quickly empty the feeder. If the cage were made smaller it would not perform its intended function effectively.

RSPB response: Thank you for your great review, we are pleased to hear how happy you are with this product. We worked with our wildlife team to ensure this guardian had the correct dimensions for smaller birds to gain access, whilst keeping out larger birds and squirrels.

Our old feeder was efficient but difficult to clean and this product seemed to be the solution. We like the feeder itself but the cage is so large that we discovered it allowed a rat to sit quite comfortably inside. We now have to find a way to thwart the rat! I agree with previous reviewers that the birds are slow to take up its use. So far we only get the occasional bluetit.

RSPB response: Thank you for your review, I'm sorry to hear you are unhappy with this feeder and guardian. We worked with specialists when developing this product to ensure the openings on the guardian were suitable for small garden birds to gain access to the feeder, so cannot make them any smaller.

I like this product and find it much more effective against squirrels and pigeons than my other feeders/guardians (made by other manufacturers) as the cage is wider, hence more difficult for squirrels/pigeons to reach the seed. I have had to make a double cage for the other feeders, which should not be necessary!
I have goldfinch, occasional greenfinch, sparrows and all the tits feeding from it.

Bought this feeder because we have problems with Magpie, Collared Dove and Wood Pigeon emptying our open feeders inside a day. Saw it at the RSPB shop at Newport wetlands, it looked as if it will be up to the challenge of our salt laden air here in Cornwall.

We filled the feeder and hung it in the normal feeding area , here we are visited by Sparrow squadrons, the resident Robins, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Dunnock. Finch at present are conspicuous by their absence also.

Since that day we have been deserted save for one Blue Tit that will soon need to go on a diet. Do Sparrows go on their holidays in August? Has anyone noticed Magpies sunbathing on an exotic beach? Do Dove and Pigeon book sightseeing trips? Even the Robin aren't hindering us in the garden.

We will keep you informed as to whether our feathered friends return. All in all the feeder is very good quality and we especially like the easy clean facility.

RSPB response: Thank you for your review regarding this feeder. We recommend persevering for a couple of months when introducing a new feeder. Birds are very cautious creatures and take time to adjust and feel comfortable using new feeders. Hopefully within a few months they will have returned!

I was dubious of buying this product because of the other reviews. I have been using cage feeders in my garden for a long time so decided to see for myself. The openings are indeed smaller than other cages and at first no birds were using it. I let the other feeders empty and then left only these for a couple of days and the birds soon started using them and now with all the other feeders full these are still popular. We even have goldfinches going in them and they don't use the old cages feeders we have. As everything is enclosed it has stopped the squirrels (they tried but without success). However the cage isn't quite far enough away from the feeder holes to stop parakeets who can get their heads in so won't stop starlings either.Very happy with the quality and the ease of cleaning. Maybe a little bit pricey but I'm hoping they will last a long time

I purchased this feeder from Titchwell a few weeks ago and it took a while before the birds started to use it but now it is getting used by Blue and Great tits, Robins, Goldfinch etc and Blackbirds hang onto the cage and pick up seed from the tray.
Our problem was not Squirrels but rooks which used to knock our old feeder about to get the seed to fall out and empty it in about an hour. Now no more rook problems. Result!

RSPB response: Thank you for your review, so happy to hear the birds are using it and you no longer have the Rooks taking over.

I have tried using the Guardian over the winter period with poor results. The openings are wide enough but not tall enough - goldfinches etc. seem to be getting the top of their folded wings caught and really dont like to go further. The Helix seed feeder gets considerably more visitors and interestingly enough has slightly larger openings. The Helix models sized openings do not have squirrel issues so not sure why the Guardian cannot be sized similarly.

I bought this in August with high expectations but they remain as expectations only. I have been using it since August, long enough for the birds to get used to it but they have not taken to it as well as I had hoped. The old-style feeders still get more visitors. I don't think the add-on ring perches make any difference at all. Not only that but I have had a very intrepid squirrel inside it. He got soaked with the hose pipe and I don't think he will return but I was certainly disappointed that he had got in at all. I think that, because the volume enclosed is larger than the old-style guardians, the squirrel realises he has more wriggle room inside. Squirrels never made it inside the old-style guardians because there just was not enough room inside but the downside to that is that the more enterprising squirrels can reach in and drag food out of the feeding holes.They don't get a lot out but it is annoying that they can get anything. They also gnaw the metal of the perch and hole surround and are making real inroads into it though it will take them at least another year to get right through. I think I must have super-squirrels - little swine!

I am not convinced that the extra cost of the new-style guardian achieves a proportionately improved performance.

Just had these delivered a week ago but unfortunately i don't think the birds can get in through the cage. I mostly get Goldfinch and and a few Green finch. Hardly any seeds have been taken so i have had to put back my old standard feeder back up but annoyed because i get a squirrel daily feeding of it. I thought all my problems where solved having something that is squirrel prove and something that prevents pigeons perching on the seed tray but i am back to square one now

RSPB response: Thank you for your review, sorry to hear that you are having problems with squirrels and are frustrated with the feeder guardian. It can take a few weeks for birds to get used to new feeders, they are wary at first. Please try and persist as more often than not the birds will start to use the new feeder with time.