How can I bring birds back to my garden?

[MuddyWalk5007]

We used to have so many birds that our bird feeder would be empty in a matter of days. We would put this coconut shells out and love seeing the birds go mad for them.

Recently, we get none. The feeder is still full from a month ago, coconut shell things are untouched.

I think it may be the neighbourhood seems to have acquired about 6 cats in the last year. They all keep coming in to our garden and I’ve seen a couple of them using the mulch under the trampoline as a litter tray. This is near the tree.

I’ve ordered some deterrents for putting under the trampoline and I’m really hoping this works.

Any suggestions?

I didn't find any deterrents that worked for cats. Blocking preferred access route worked for the lazy one. I am sorry your birds have been put off or eaten.

It might not be the new cats, OP. I’ve noticed far fewer birds on my feeders this year too, and there’s been no change in the local cat population here.
It may just be that we’re having a mild winter and they’re getting enough wild food sources from berries, seeds etc, not to need to come into gardens.
Alternatively, maybe there has been a population drop in songbirds - the numbers do go in cycles, with a rise in birds of prey cutting the songbirds numbers until the shortage reduces the birds of prey population and allows the songbirds to flourish again.
I’ve noticed sparrowhawks around this winter in my area.

We get none now though. Not even one.
I feel a bit sad about it as we had so many different ones. We even had a woodpecker from time to time.

The cars just jump over the fence and across sheds so nothing to block. I’m just going to go mad with the deterrents and keep my fingers crossed.

I would recommend that you change the bird food regularly, even if it isn't being eaten. Apologies if you are already doing this. If the weather is wet and miserable then definitely change the food at least once a week as moisture does get in to the feeders and spoil the food. Stale or mouldy food can be dangerous for the birds. You could fill the feeders halfway to begin with, that way you won't be throwing too much away if it doesn't get eaten.

What sort of bird seed are you putting out? Some things are more popular than others, depending on the birds in your area. In my garden in the south of England, peanuts are hardly touched, and fat balls take quite a while to be eaten. I have a few feeders for bird seed, and a bird table, both get lots of visitors. Depending on the season, I mix other bits in like sunflower hearts, suet pellets, kibbled peanuts, etc. It tends to attract a large variety of birds, but even then there can be slow days or weeks when the feeders take longer than usual to go down. You don't have to spend lots of money though, it depends on your budget.

I love watching the birds. I hope you get some visitors soon, OP.

We have our own cat and others that wander through the garden but we're still full of birds feeding from my feeders.

Have you lost any vegetation/trees locally? they need to feel safe flying to and from your feeders.

My MIL removed the vegetation from her new garden - she likes things very 'tidy' (ie lots of brown earth between plants) and the birds won't come in as they have nowhere to hide.