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I’m determined to encourage birds into my garden this year -any tips welcome.
QuintanaRoo · 19/03/2023 08:03
So I have bought a bird feeder hanger which I’ve put a few feet away from a little apple tree where I sometimes see sparrows sitting.
I’ve bought a seed holder which has three chambers for three different types of seeds. I bought niger seeds and also some”no mess” quality mixed bird seed. I’m now thinking the Niger seeds was a mistake as I’ve never seen finches before……but maybe the Niger seeds will encourage them.?
the feeder holder has a mesh flat tray part so I was thinking of putting suet or maybe mealworms on this.
I see blackbirds in the garden sometimes, also sparrows, wood pigeons. There are crows on the house roof most days.
what else would be good to put out?
Schmutter · 19/03/2023 10:36
My husband is crazy about birds. He buys feed by the sack, about 2 different types.
We have various feeders in the trees (not that many as I’m not a fan of the aesthetic), also a bird table and a bird bath which is in constant use. He’s out there every morning feeding the flocks and scattering food onto the ground for myriad ducks, coots and moorhens.
We also have bird boxes in about 7 of the trees which are used every year by blue tits. He’s added a swift box this year.
I think if you feed them, they will come.
DigbyTheDigger · 19/03/2023 10:36
The most popular things for birds in my garden are coconut halves and fat balls for starlings, and sunflower hearts for goldfinches, great tits and blue tits.
Collared doves eat the sunflower hearts if they're in a wide bowl on the floor and occasionally I get mealworms which the robins go crazy for.
Can anyone recommend a bird bath?
Isheabastard · 19/03/2023 10:38
My all time favourite thing is watching goldfinches teasing off dandelion seed heads on my lawn.
This means not eradicating weeds and reducing mowing.
Remember weeds evolved to have a place in the food chain. Don’t use insecticides or chemical.
If you encourage the insects and bugs (or at least leave them alone), you get more birds.
In very dry weather I have been known to water a patch of earth/flower bed for a few days, then dig it over. This hopefully allows birds to get at worms in the soil.
TheClash2023 · 19/03/2023 10:49
Water is the key here. I've got two solar powered water fountains. One is tiered and quite deep so the big birds bathe and drink from it. In the summer I often have to fill it several times a day because they use it so much. Then I have a very shallow one for the little birds that the robins and finches like.
KnittedCardi · 19/03/2023 10:53
Depending on your garden, lots of hedges and shrubs, particularly if they fruit, are always popular. My garden is chock full of birds, and I don't put anything out at all. They just love a more naturalized garden. We are semi rural though, which of course helps.
Daleksatemyshed · 19/03/2023 11:42
How lovely to see so many people feed the birds, they really need our help now.
More shrubs would help Op and running water if possible as they drink and bathe in it.
Please just note, baby birds can't eat dry mealworms, they can choke on them, as live grubs are soft it's best to soak them overnight in hot water so they're soft in the morning. Yes, it smells so use a container with a tight lid.
CountingMareep · 19/03/2023 12:25
TriangleSquareCircle · 19/03/2023 10:29
One of the best things I accidentally did to feed birds was to leave a broccoli plant growing long after it had ceased to be productive. It was full of caterpillars which ate the leaves and these were like crack for the tiny birds that would visit and peck them off every day. It was a joy to watch.
My DH does this at the allotment. He leaves the brassicas to flower for a while because bees and other pollinating insects love them.
Lucanus · 19/03/2023 12:27
This thread really sums up just how damaging bird feeding is to wildlife in this country. The reason OP has no birds in her garden is because the habitat is poor and has nothing to attract them. Grass, clipped hedges etc... very little to sustain the invertebrates that most birds feed on.
Putting out food will bring in birds for sure, but it does absolutely nothing to address the underlying poor habitat and it does nothing to help wildlife more broadly apart from boosting the numbers of a few common bird species. These common species then put even more pressure on declining bird species in the wider countryside by outcompeting them for food and nest holes.
This same situation is repeated in countless gardens across the country. Bird feeding is not 'helping nature' - it's the exact opposite.
Improve the habitat from the bottom up and birds will be just fine. It's not as easy as just sticking up a few feeders, but it has far more benefit overall.
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 19/03/2023 12:42
WildRosie · 19/03/2023 12:39
If you have dogs and/or cats, groom them outside. The birds will take the fur and hair to line their nests. Only ok if said animals haven't had topical flea treatments.
Is the tablet ok?
I just de-flead the beasts and they are starting to shed, I usually leave the hair outside, but someone said it's not a good idea after the flea treatments, so I'm wondering.
WildRosie · 19/03/2023 13:21
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 19/03/2023 12:42
Is the tablet ok?
I just de-flead the beasts and they are starting to shed, I usually leave the hair outside, but someone said it's not a good idea after the flea treatments, so I'm wondering.
WildRosie · 19/03/2023 12:39
If you have dogs and/or cats, groom them outside. The birds will take the fur and hair to line their nests. Only ok if said animals haven't had topical flea treatments.
I couldn't say for certain but I don't see why not. It's a long time since I've had dats and cogs.
QuintanaRoo · 19/03/2023 14:03
I love the idea of having a wilder area of long grass, will talk to dh and see how horrified he is at the idea. I guess I could try and dig some little holes in the lawn and plant wild flower seeds to try and get some flowers so it looks more like a wild flower meadow rather than an uncut lawn?
QuintanaRoo · 19/03/2023 14:08
Can anyone recommend any specific shrubs, etc which would be good? I’m also unsure where to plant them, nothing will grow down the side of the conifer hedge. There is a little dwarf wall between the bird feeder and apple tree as the last third of the garden is sort of stepped up, would shrubs along that wall help? I could dig a flower bed along there, put shrubs and red got poker plants, etc?
the veg plot which is in the bottom left has three beds which do become overgrown and loads of plants there soon. So sunflowers, squashes, peas, beans, broccoli, etc.
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 19/03/2023 15:12
WildRosie · 19/03/2023 13:21
I couldn't say for certain but I don't see why not. It's a long time since I've had dats and cogs.
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 19/03/2023 12:42
Is the tablet ok?
I just de-flead the beasts and they are starting to shed, I usually leave the hair outside, but someone said it's not a good idea after the flea treatments, so I'm wondering.
WildRosie · 19/03/2023 12:39
If you have dogs and/or cats, groom them outside. The birds will take the fur and hair to line their nests. Only ok if said animals haven't had topical flea treatments.
We have an appointment at the vet's this week, I'll check with them. Don't want any poisoned birdies on my conscience.
GuyFawkesDay · 19/03/2023 15:18
In terms of shrubs, if you can plant native then do. However, they tend to be trees rather than shrubs!
Small cherries (kojo na mai) which grow to 4ft or so, flowering currant, witch hazel, will provide cover. No value of themselves other than they flower relatively early and so good for pollinators. Add roses etc in too. Just don't use any chemicals to control the insects and let nature do it for you.
Itstillgoeson · 19/03/2023 16:10
TheSandgroper · 19/03/2023 08:54
I’m not in the UK but I would dig over some of that lawn and replace it with meadow plants, allow them to grow tall and set seed. You wouldn’t need much.
Agree, was going to suggest this. With some sunflowers mixed in.
Any native hedgerow plants like blackberries and dog roses. Small raised pond (something kid safe).
OP, do you know what type of apple tree you have? May be worth adding a pollinator for bigger yields. In our garden the song birds seem to flit between the trees. If the apple tree is self fertile, can you add a cherry tree (on dwarf rootstock if necessary)? This is another favourite for small birds. A climbing rose or honeysuckle on the shed would give them more cover. Best of luck.
QuintanaRoo · 19/03/2023 16:11
We don’t use weed killer, we just don’t have much apart from the lawn I guess and the veg plot. We do have the apple tree which is obviously bare and then nearer the house is a very untidy herb border but it is all herbs so not much for bees or birds I guess. We also have a big Budliah tree which the bees and butterflies love and we do get small birds in it.
I’ve talked to dh about letting the old chicken run be a wildflower overgrown bit, it’s behind the apple tree and he’s up for that. I’ve ordered bee and bird friendly wild flower seeds. It’s currently bare Earth so will dig that over with the seeds in.
TheSandgroper · 19/03/2023 17:10
howtorewild.co.uk/blog/how-to-rewild-your-uk-garden/
Anything will grow in a tub, grasses, shrubs you name it. You may need to set up a small irrigation system. Just keep your plants native. An local, organic seed seller should have some ideas. Create a small woodpile in the corner with different sized branches.
Lots of birds don’t like open stretches of ground so creating a busy habitat makes them feel more secure.
And, it’s gardening. Some ideas will work and some won’t and when something doesn’t work this year, you do something else next year.
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