The birds often drop the tiny round seeds, is this because they don't like them?

The small round seeds you refer to in the Ark No Mess Feeder Mix are the red and white dari, which are high carbohydrate tonic seeds. All our mixes are specially formulated for wild birds’ nutritional requirements and the role of the tonic seeds is the birds will take them as and when they need them throughout the year. Obviously this will mean that with changes in season and changes of bird visitors with migration patterns, that the amount of tonic seeds they require will vary.

Is this mix just for use in the tube feeders?

No, this incredibly popular blend of nutritionally balanced seeds can be used in all areas of the garden, tube feeders, bird tables and scattered on the ground. As it has a high proportion of sunflower hearts all the birds are able to access it, including the soft billed songbirds.

I am experiencing some growth from Ark No Mess Feeder Mix seeds that have been dropped on the ground - is this normal?

Unlike most other seed-mixes, Ark Wildlife's are untreated by chemicals and only contain fresh, live seeds, so this kind of growth is completely normal. To minimise any unwanted growth, consider using a feeder base tray such as the Feeder Base Tray Ring Pull, and site your feeder above an area that is likely to discourage growth.

The appearance of the Ark No Mess Feeder Mix seems a little different from normal - has the recipe been changed at all?

This highly popular Ark recipe remains exactly the same. The blend contains three percent of rolled oats and their outer shells may sometimes remain intact - thus giving a slightly different appearance to the mix.