Songbird EssentialsSEIA30024 Seed Hoop Seed Catcher & Platform Feeder

It’s expensive for what it is, (I purchased the 24 “) but as we had a problem with rats visiting the garden for the bird seed I thought it was a worthwhile investment. However, as the picture shows it hasn’t stopped the pigeons despite the pegs I hung on it in the hope they would block their flight path. I’ve stopped feeding bird seed and now only put out sun flower seed but the pigeons are still a constant nuisance and not only stand in the net hoop they actually tip it over so all the waste falls to the ground. My next deterrent is to add some fence wire but the whole hoop is fast becoming an eyesore and thanks to the pigeons pretty useless. No furry, long tail friends as yet though so that’s a big positive, although I think that’s because I’ve stopped putting out seed and blocked up their entry points with chippings. Thankfully the small birds still visit for the sunflower seeds and water in the bird baths.

I have a bird feeding frame with seed hoppers Loads of dropped seeds. Loads of rodents. Bought these two seed hoops and set them up with great precision Birds weren't using them but thought it was only a matter of time. Stood at the window this morning to see a merry go round of mixed rodent scaling the middle pole and stuffing their little mouths with wholemeal bread Seems like it's back to the drawing board. I am sure the product will work well if you just consider the maths and physics of the nearby structures and possible angle of leap of these athletic creatures !!

The birds required a day or two to get used to it. All was well until we had a windy day, which resulted in the seed catcher tilting through 90 degrees and acting as a sail. With seeds blocking some of the meshing, the wind resistance was so great that the ‘sail’ pulled the bird table right over, tipping everything onto the ground. I have fixed a weight beneath the seed catcher to reduce the chances of this happening again. Another problem is that pigeons have started jumping onto it in frustration, now that there is much less seed to pick off the ground. When they do this, all the collected seed gathers to one side and the seed catcher ends up looking very unsightly heavily tilted over. Having said all that, I’m not giving up on it yet.

I bought this to stop the birds dropping sunflower seeds on plants and grass below my bird feeder.This is because sunflowers are allelopathic – they exude toxins that stop nearby plants from growing and actually kills some. The grass under the feeder was especially affected.It's not very attractive to look at, but it does the job and catches a large proportion of the seeds the birds drop. It's easy to clean out, much easier than trying to clean up the seeds on the lawn.Given the materials involved it does seem quite expensive, but it does do the job

Seems like a really good idea. However. The ‘strings’ used to level the net don’t lock properly so any weight on the netting pulls them through again. The net is also very light so swings around in the breeze. If I’d only paid £5 I wouldn’t mind so much, but I didn’t. All I can say is it’s better than nothing!

Living in the country and surrounded by fields I am aware of the ever present rat population.. but still wanted to feed the birds...especially during the winter months . However ,being such messy feeders, I found the seed and nut pieces they dropped onto the floor attracted rats and mice . I thought a large hoop catcher just might solve the problem ...and since installation I have seen very little evidence of rodent visits . I was able to suspend a nut feeder with a hanging seed tray below and above the large hoop..so now have one major feeding station The hoop catches any food flung over the edges of both feeders and I find the larger birds then pick that from the hoop itself . It is very easy to unhook as I do bring all feeders in at dusk .. but it being very light and easy to attach makes this little hardship ....so both aspects achieved....no vermin and birds fed. A little pricey for what it is but well worth the money for the excellent result .

This is made from quality materials, the clips around the rim being so sturdy that you need a hard surface to push against to fit them over the eyes when assembling. The birds were wary at first, some reluctant to land on the feeder above it, but others (robins) hopping on the mesh like a trampoline. It catches any food that falls on calm days, but needs to be weighted in a wind.

Spilled seed from our bird feeders attracted so many pigeons to feed on our patio that we felt under siege! We would often have more than 20 at a time. These devices catch almost all of the dropped seed and our pigeon visitor numbers have dramatically reduced. It’s a great product.