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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

Original poster

Help me attract some birds

19 replies

gobbleguts · 08/04/2023 18:50

So I really really want to some regular bird visitors but whatever I am doing isn't working.

We are in a new build so the garden was a mess. All we have is a patio, square of grass and I planted x2 salix trees in a border at the back of the garden 3 years ago and they are around 5ft tall now, behind them I have put a birdhouse, a hanging bird "chair" and filled with sunflower seeds and a bowl of water. I also have some fat balls in a bird feeder hanging there.

I think they must come as eventually the seed disappears but I never ever see birds! I'm always looking but nothing. The occasional pigeon but haven't even seen any of them lately.

What can I do to attract them?

OP posts:
LaylaLjungberg · 08/04/2023 19:04

I am a new bird feeder. It took a few months for them to have any interest. I have found birds are picky. I recommend getting a multi bird feeder stand and having 3 or 4 choices. I have no mess bird food, suet pellets, nuts and fat balls. Keep everything tidy and clean and I also recommend having a big bird Bath, I use a deep pot saucer, nothing fancy but refill everyday with fresh water, they seem to love that. I check things everyday and I’m teeming with life. Get some plants in pots or borders too it all attracts life.

you seem to have to go all to get the birds. They are fancy beasts. Soak raisins in the summer. Black birds love them.

AnnaMagnani · 08/04/2023 19:10

Do you or your neighbours have a cat?

If so think very carefully about where you site any bird feeders.

My poor neighbour ended up creating a cat all you can eat buffet. Cat had a great time for a week and then the birds sensibly went elsewhere.

Original poster
gobbleguts · 08/04/2023 19:23

No no cats, well there is a kitten two doors down but I don't think it goes outside yet,

I think maybe I should try a nesting box?

OP posts:
Original poster
gobbleguts · 08/04/2023 19:24

@LaylaLjungberg thank you I will try your suggestions

OP posts:
Dogsandchocolaterule · 08/04/2023 19:34

I'm the same, trying to get more birds.

They went crazy for a particular pack of fat balls I bought which had loads of black seeds in it. But this second pack which just looks like fat they aren't bothered by. The seeds don't get eaten much either.

CosyCoffee · 08/04/2023 19:38

Not all birds can use a hanging feeder. I also have a bird table (I removed the roof as it stops the wood pigeons from being able to access it) and I make my own bird feed of suet pellets, sunflower seeds, kibbled peanuts, mealworms and bits of bread or cake, and soaked sultanas sometimes. Keep putting out the food and eventually the birds will find you. Good luck!

yogacushions · 08/04/2023 19:41

I have a tonne of sparrows now - after none for years. What worked for me was

rspb bird food
bird bath cleaned every other day
suet pellets
bird feeders protected by a rose and shed so not out in the open.
regularly cleaned and refilled

yogacushions · 08/04/2023 19:41

oh Yes and an mini table feeder on top of a compost heap

the rspb website is your friend here

bizzywiththefizzy · 08/04/2023 19:54

Is there much greenery around you ? like shrubs and trees ? If there is not that ,there won't be much birds around the place .
Place your feeder near to where the birds can fly to quickly, to shelter in shrubs and bushes for safety . Otherwise the birds would have to take massive risks to eat the food and they could end up dead (birds of prey) .
Don't forget water .

ThreeRingCircus · 08/04/2023 20:02

It sounds like you don't have a lot of shrubs/cover for the birds? Personally mine land in the hedge first then fly out to the bird feeder when they see it's safe so I think you do need to make sure there's some cover for them. It took a bit of time for them to find my feeders but I agree with a PP that offering a selection works best. Personally I use seed mix, fat balls, mealworms and sunflowers hearts and that seems to work well.

thefinaltwist · 08/04/2023 20:06

You really need to have some trees/bushes/shrubs for coverage.

My feeder is right next to the trees and I put out seed, peanuts, fat balls, fat cakes and mealworm. We also make our own fat cakes which are hugely popular! I have a bird bath big enough for a few birds to get in at the one time and a smaller one which I notice the smaller birds use to drink from. I change the water every other day and I have a stone in the middle for the smaller birds to perch on while getting a drink. I've also got a window feeder which is used by the robin everyday.

I get sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, blue tits, great tits, long tail tits, wagtails, robins and a wren. I get alot of pleasure watching and caring for the birds.

Oh I also have an empty peanut feeder that I filled with sheeps wool which is also on the feeder

StarDolphins · 08/04/2023 20:09

I have a lot of birds in my garden, pretty sure some live there. I also have a cat!& a child & a dog & they don’t seem bothered!

Things they seem to like here are, the bird bath, they really love this, it’s slightly hidden & in the shade. They like the conifersz & the bushes & branches of other small shrub type things.

I don’t that a bird feeder (because the old man opposite gave me a right bollocking about rats) I used to have hedgehogs but now I don’t because he doesn’t want food leaving out🙄 but I sneak peanuts all round for them to find!

Good luck, I love birds in my garden!

Riverlee · 08/04/2023 20:18

Buy the best quality bird food you can afford. I found when I brought Jacobi Jayne bird food I got more birds.

RitaFires · 08/04/2023 20:59

I would echo the advice for high quality food. I have a bird table which is in between a few fruit trees so I get a lot of birds hanging out on the branches.
I bought cheaper mixed seeds before and not only were they left for longer, some of the birds actually knocked them off the table and left them uneaten on the ground. The birds in my garden go mad for mealworms but I try to offer a nice variety of seeds and suet as well.
It took a while for the birds to realise there was food for them but I had robins and blue tits that already visited the garden, I get thrushes, starlings, blackbirds, finches and collared doves now.

lipstickwoman · 08/04/2023 21:11

Agree you really need cover for them.. shrubs, trees, hedges

and then a variety of foods in a variety of feeders.

Some like ground feeding.. some from feeders in trees. Some like seeds. Some like mealworms. Dad balls are popular in winter.

lipstickwoman · 08/04/2023 21:11

Dad balls?!?Blush

CosyCoffee · 09/04/2023 07:44

I like dad balls all year round, not just winter.

Original poster
gobbleguts · 09/04/2023 09:21

Dad balls Grin

We are planning to potentially move next year and I've looked up the cost to buy some shrubs/hedges and it probably won't be worth the effort, I will look at Ivy though as I could cover the fence with it. I will also invest in more variety of food and better quality! The estate backs onto a wooded area so lots of wildlife there (just we are sandwiched in the middle of a lot of houses!)

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