its not fair!!!

[tawny girl]

i joined about 2 wks ago and have been amazed and envious at what other members have visiting their gardens

my birds must be the most spoiled birds in our area but ive had the same variety for 4 yrs now

i get starlings,sparrows,pigeons,doves,occasionally blue and great tits and the odd dunnock or wren,theres also a few very shy jackdaws that live in a neighbours chimney

i often convince myself ive spotted something a bit more exiting but on closer inspection it always turns out to be one of my regulars

although i live on an estate,i am quite lucky that my house backs onto some overgrown ground with plenty of trees and my own garden is also well stocked,i also put out a wide variety of food,what more can i do,if anyone has any tips i would be very grateful

i long to see a finch or a siskin ,ooh i almost forgot i had a female blackcap last week but she was eating mahonia berries in my front garden

[natureguy]

Hi Tawny Girl I sometimes feel the same asbout this, although I'd be happy with wrens and dunnocks the only thing I get are blackbirds doves sparrows and a robin. I'd love to see gold/firecrest goldfinch or any member of the tit family.

[agrumpycow]

Seems like you get pretty much what we get in our suburban garden! I have had the briefest of sightings of a sparrow hawk, long tailed tits and a goldcrest but only once or twice of each in the last few years!
I often wonder if I get more species in my garden yet miss them because I spend only a relatively small amount of time looking.

[jaykay]

I'm in the same position with only the odd one or two exceptions. I spend hours gazing longingly through my patio window waiting for that special bird to put in an appearence but on the day to day, it doesn't! keep looking, on that one day you don't, they'll all come

sorry, and welcome to WAB

[Pippa]

Hi Tawny girl


I think it depends on where we live etc etc etc.

I love all the birds on your list and when we moved here last year, i am pleased they followed.

We have Chaffinches/Greenfinches/Bullfinches and Goldfinches,as well as several Siskins.

We also have visits from the Hawk.

All these were back home except the Goldie.

Find out what is local to you and also remember if you aren't looking you may miss out.I remember sitting looking into my back garden back home and seeing a pair of Hawfinches.They came in and bathed everyday for 1 week.If i hadn't been at the window at the right time i would have missed it.

Good luck

[Bouncytigger]

Originally Posted by tawny girl

i joined about 2 wks ago and have been amazed and envious at what other members have visiting their gardens

my birds must be the most spoiled birds in our area but ive had the same variety for 4 yrs now

i get starlings,sparrows,pigeons,doves,occasionally blue and great tits and the odd dunnock or wren,theres also a few very shy jackdaws that live in a neighbours chimney

i often convince myself ive spotted something a bit more exiting but on closer inspection it always turns out to be one of my regulars

although i live on an estate,i am quite lucky that my house backs onto some overgrown ground with plenty of trees and my own garden is also well stocked,i also put out a wide variety of food,what more can i do,if anyone has any tips i would be very grateful

i long to see a finch or a siskin ,ooh i almost forgot i had a female blackcap last week but she was eating mahonia berries in my front garden

I shouldn't worry two much Tawny Girl

It was the same for me two years ago

vary the food that you put on your feeders,bird table etc and site the food in the middle of the garden at first so birds on route will stop by for a bite to eat when they get a good view of what delights are on offer!

Plant plenty of dense shrubs as well if you havn't already
Pyracantha is a good one

You may have to be patient but you could get results in a week or two

[pressld2]

I know how you feel TG, but I'd love to see jackdaws in my garden!

The niger seed has brought in the goldfinches but really we only get the normal garden birds. The exceptions being a jay who is becoming a more regular visitor since I started ground feeding and the occasional green woodpecker. And I do mean occasional - maybe five times in 14 years!

I'm incredibly jealous of all the people who get sparrowhawks in their garden. I've never knowingly set eyes on one.

Dave P.