Dick is an engineer with over 40 years experience of product design and manufacture.
“My experience is in commercial vehicle superstructure development, I love problem solving, if I see a can, I have to kick it! I couldn’t let disease in bird feeders beat me!”
So he set about making a feeder that’s easy to clean, and is also a wonderful place for birds to feed and be observed.
The solution didn't come quickly though, it took five years of thinking, developing, trialling and prototyping.
“The key was separating the feed store from where the birds feed. The design enables the feeding area to be removed without waste, and the food in the storage area to remain clean, dry and free of the parasite.”
The final design features a removable feed station making cleaning quick and easy, and two or four, enclosed feed chambers to hold a variety of feed and protect it from the most extreme weather
By 2020, operational 3D printed prototypes proved successful.
“The "Finches Friend" feeders worked, and as if in celebration, Green Finches returned! With weekly cleaning they have started to thrive!”