attracting different birds

[ally866]

Hi everyone

I have just found this site and joined today.

Can anyone help with ideas on how to attract birds to my garden please? I have lots of starlings and a few sparrows (those that are not bullied away by the starlings! ) and I would like to see some others like tits, robins, finches and blackbirds. I feed a husk free seed mix which is sunflowers, maize, oats etc, fat balls, peanuts and I make up my own cakes with bread, currants, mealworms and any other scraps that are around.

What else can I feed to attract some of the other birds I have mentioned?

Thanks in advance

[Blackdogjnr]

Welcome Ally...

I'd say you have the basis for a good bird-cafe there.
Try a few feeders in different parts of the garden and a lot of patience, then they'll eventually find you.

think about location of feeders, predators and providing cover for your visitors as well....

Sunflower hearts are a hit with pretty much every species that visits my feeding stations!

Good luck

[diggleken]

Hi Ally and welcome!
It sounds pretty good and mixed for different species already - if you are not getting a broad mix of birds it might be cos of where you are and if they are or are not in that area anyway.
If they arent, give them time.
If they are, try putting feeders and bird tables nearer cover, ie bushes and trees, rather than near the house. location can be very important.
Perhaps also add rotten fruit for thrushes, blackbirds etc, plus a supply of water, partic in freezing conditions.
You will get more advice on this I suspect too!
Hope this helps!
Ken

[ron1863]

Looks like you have most things covered but I would have some feeders hanging from bushes or a tree as the tits seem to like these.

[ally866]

Thanks for the replies.

My garden is very small and the only area of planting is a bit of a hideout for cats, there seem to be hundreds in our area! I have seen different tits and finches a little further away so hopefully they will fing my cafe soon!
The cats don't seem to bother the birds too much when they are using my feeding pole.

[Gill Catton]

yes don't undervalue the planting in your garden for drawing more birds in, Do you have room on your fences to grow climbers perhaps - things like honeysuckle or wild clematis could be good?

[Blackdogjnr]

Also, in the spring, mealworms

[kiltoncomp]

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

Also, in the spring, mealworms

are dried mealworms good for the birds at this time of year??
i noticed some in the local pet store when we were stocking up on wild bird food , only they seem to be very hard and dry(they would be dry, being dried) so wondered if they are safe to feed straight out of the packet??

[Blackdogjnr]

Yeah, they're totally safe dried, starlings gulp them down in record time, it's hilarious!

Live mealworms are much better though, they have a higher nutritional value and are essential grub (pardon the pun) for fledgelings, more moisture too.

You can even get mini mealworms for dinky brids like wrens and tits....

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

yes don't undervalue the planting in your garden for drawing more birds in, Do you have room on your fences to grow climbers perhaps - things like honeysuckle or wild clematis could be good?

I second that. If you've got any spare wall space, grow climbers up it. Ivy is good.
Do you put water out? that can be a major attractant.
T2