Best place to hang a bird feeder?

[HanDiiMaNz]

I currently have it hanging off of a branch on the apple tree. But where is the best place to hang it?

[Geoff F]

Depending on what is around the tree that is probably as good as anywhere. Just make sure it is sufficiently high. Say around 5 ft.

But a photo or description of the area and any alternatives would be helpful.

[Kayleigh]

If the birds are using it happily why move it..

[Pippa]

Sorry H it is impossible to say.

It could be great where it is and i would leave it there for a while as birds do hate change.They will watch for a while before they enjoy.Patience is a virtue and all that

Just think, is it high enough or easy for cats/hawks to attack.It is trial and error and practise in your own garden, makes perfect.Once a feeder is placed though, it does need to be left alone for a few weeks.Sometimes they come almost immediately and other times it can take a couple of weeks.

Good luck

[HanDiiMaNz]

Originally Posted by Pippa

Sorry H it is impossible to say.

It could be great where it is and i would leave it there for a while as birds do hate change.They will watch for a while before they enjoy.Patience is a virtue and all that

Just think, is it high enough or easy for cats/hawks to attack.It is trial and error and practise in your own garden, makes perfect.Once a feeder is placed though, it does need to be left alone for a few weeks.Sometimes they come almost immediately and other times it can take a couple of weeks.

Good luck

Well, saying that i have had a few Blue & Great tits on the feeder but i was wondering whether this was a good place to position it?

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2834/1001284k.jpg

[Jenny W]

I read a study a few years ago that was suggesting that many bird species that typically use feeders do favour sites that have cover near to them. The occurance of such species was positively correlated with the proximity of vegetative or man-made cover. The only species that were negatively correlated to the proximity of cover were very much open ground feeders such as Yellowhammers. It's worth pointing out here that this study was in relation to farmland birds in an arable farmland environment - it may therefore also apply to the same species in a more urban environment (anyone disagree?).

Your feeders being placed in the tree I would say is therefore a good bet. What I would say though is don't worry about Sparrowhawks catching your birds - they are a native species and after all, they need to feed as well!

[Stomperone]

I am sure i will be corrected if I am wrong but to attract birds other than tits you need a variety of food in a couple of feeders.. I have two feeding stations each with four feeders containing different feed.. I have noticed that each species has its own favourite and even second favourite type of food..

The food that seems to attract the most attention is sunflower hearts everything seems to like this, goldfinch,greenfinch, sparrows, starlings, linnets, doves,pigeons, bluetit, coaltit and doves.

[Pam_M]

Originally Posted by Stomperone

I am sure i will be corrected if I am wrong but to attract birds other than tits you need a variety of food in a couple of feeders.. I have two feeding stations each with four feeders containing different feed.. I have noticed that each species has its own favourite and even second favourite type of food..

The food that seems to attract the most attention is sunflower hearts everything seems to like this, goldfinch,greenfinch, sparrows, starlings, linnets, doves,pigeons, bluetit, coaltit and doves.

I agree with you, Stomperone! Sunflower hearts are definately a favourite with the birds that visit my garden.

I would certainly hang more feeders, well at least another feeder in your apple tree, HanDiiMaNz. A feeder filled with sunflower hearts will attract the bird species as Stomperone has mentioned, that is if they are in your area of course!

I also have 2 feeding stations and also hang feeeders from the apple trees but the Squirrels have a field day with the feeders on the tree, so I just hang a peanut feeder on them now.

[Jenny W]

Originally Posted by Stomperone

I am sure i will be corrected if I am wrong but to attract birds other than tits you need a variety of food in a couple of feeders.. I have two feeding stations each with four feeders containing different feed.. I have noticed that each species has its own favourite and even second favourite type of food..

The food that seems to attract the most attention is sunflower hearts everything seems to like this, goldfinch,greenfinch, sparrows, starlings, linnets, doves,pigeons, bluetit, coaltit and doves.

Very much so. Birds will select seed types due to a combination of factors including nutritional value, time taken to process, processing method and seed size (probably plus others).

[HanDiiMaNz]

Originally Posted by Stomperone

I am sure i will be corrected if I am wrong but to attract birds other than tits you need a variety of food in a couple of feeders.. I have two feeding stations each with four feeders containing different feed.. I have noticed that each species has its own favourite and even second favourite type of food..

The food that seems to attract the most attention is sunflower hearts everything seems to like this, goldfinch,greenfinch, sparrows, starlings, linnets, doves,pigeons, bluetit, coaltit and doves.

I recently ordered two cage feeders which should arrive soon, one is a nut feeder and the other is an ordinary feeder with four ports. The cage around the feeders should give the birds protection and hopfully i can attract more