To not know why the birds suddenly don't like our bird feeder anymore?

[Chamomileteaplease]

We have had a bird feeder hanging from the same branch of a tree in the garden for a few years.

I recently put a new hanging feeder there instead, with similar seeds. They have tucked in up to about a third. And stopped. It's been a few weeks now.

Why do you think they have suddenly gone off it?

Similar seeds, but not the same ones?
I have fussy birds. They like the seeds and the fat filled coconuts I get from a certain store. The more economical ones I purchased from a different store were left. They flocked back when I put that lot in the bin and refilled with my usual seed & coconuts.
Fussy lot.

Has a neighbour suddenly got a cat or started putting out the bird equivalent of a three course banquet? Maybe a sparrowhawk has been spotted by the birds and they are keeping away.

Try moving the bird feeder so it's hanging inside a tree or in close proximity to one, our garden birds prefer that to one that is exposed.

Has the seed gone mouldy or started sprouting?

It's a new and clean feeder because the last one got clogged up.

I could try moving branches.

But yes, it's a good idea to perhaps try some different seeds. I hadn't realised they could be rather fussy!

A new cat in the neighbourhood

I'd say a cat too, they very quickly learn which feeding spots are dangerous.

@KarmaStar

A new cat in the neighbourhood

Wish it was mine, it looks so good!

Could be a cat but we had this when there had been a sparrowhawk in the neighbourhood. They came back about three weeks later!

It's because they know it's the Great Garden Birdwatch next weekend.

Last year there had been birds a'plenty in our garden right up until the GGBW day. And we sat there in our usual birdwatching spot for an hour, eager clipboards in hands. But not a sausage!

@ApplesinmyPocket

It's because they know it's the Great Garden Birdwatch next weekend.

Last year there had been birds a'plenty in our garden right up until the GGBW day. And we sat there in our usual birdwatching spot for an hour, eager clipboards in hands. But not a sausage!

Yes this. Not a sausage this weekend. They appeared as soon as I got busy doing something else! Even have a pair of blue ties which up to Friday were in and out of their nest box.

We can't leave food out for birds anymore after:
A) the squirrels decided it looked tasty and scared the birds off
B) new neighbours moved in with their 2 cats and started hunting them

I miss our birds.

Have you thought about trying one of the window feeders? We have one our lounge window and the robins and bluetits will come and use it often, occasionally the sparrows do as well. They all fly straight onto it from the hedge and the occasional cat that comes in can't get them.

I haven't noticed any particularly new cats but you never know.

Thanks everyone I will try your suggestions . I always worried that with window ones the birds would crash into the glass so it is good to hear that they don't .

You said it has been a few weeks now.... are you SURE it hasn't gone off? It can go mouldy at the bottom and then the other bits stick together.
It has been so wet recently that I bet this is the case.

My husband has bought a box of 150 fat balls after going through 4 every two days, the four in the hanger have been there a week. I upped the anti by adding mealworms to our offerings, but agreed they much prefer the coconut fat thingy with raisin in it.

@Chamomileteaplease

I haven't noticed any particularly new cats but you never know.

Thanks everyone I will try your suggestions . I always worried that with window ones the birds would crash into the glass so it is good to hear that they don't .

It's not happened with ours. The only incident was when an over optimistic pigeon tried to land in it and found he was too big and too heavy 🙄🤷‍♀️😂

@madamedesevigne

My bird feeders haven't been touched much this last fortnight either. Collective fussiness?! 🐦

Mmm sinister, maybe they're plotting something, like in 'the birds'

Curious you would think with the weather they would be eating the feeders bare and begging for more? A plot or all the kids are so bored they are now feeding the birds their Cheerios and cornflakes as home school science experiments?