Have a look at the RSPB web site. Lots of useful info. http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whentofeed.aspx

Sunflower kernals, sunflowers that have been husked, are nice and clean and the birds pick up any spillage from the ground. The drawback is that they are very expensive. Peanuts aren't too bad but they also seem to be expensive now.

There are birdseeds that are marketed as being "no mess" but as Bulbaholic says, they do cost more. I tried some, and it lived up to its name, but I ended up going back to the cheaper stuff and pulling up what grew in the wrong place (I did get some spectacular sunflowers that I kept). Mind you, I have several resident woodpigeons who clean up most of what is dropped. (Have you ever watched a tit feeding from a bird feeder? You'd think they were deliberately throwing half of it over their shoulders!)

Our seed feeder is located above a concrete pad. It doesn't get filled again until the birds have cleaned up their mess underneath it!

oh how i would love to see them with their little brooms and dustpans lol

lol! I like that Bulbaholic. I went on the rspb website and I ordered the 'no mess sunflower mix' with hearts, kibble maize and husk free oats and it was on offer.
These birds are costing me more to feed than my two border collies.
Thanks everyone :)

My bird table had an accident and fell over winter before last year and I am still picking out weeds.
As a precaution this year - I used a woodland mix which is all sort of mashed up and sunflower hearts. Not nearly as much mess around as there has been in the previous years. Like Bulba, I don't feed as much now either - I find it encourages them to look around for their cast offs!!
Know what you mean about the cost :)