Some Advice!

[Summer]

There are a lot of houses surrounding me and I'm sure some will put out the odd feeder but it's very 'urban' and is more likely to have broken down cars and motorbikes in the gardens than bird tables!

I'm starting to think my area is pretty unpopular for garden birds...but hopefully the word will spread!

[Tursiops]

Hallo Summer, and a belated welcome to the forum from me.

From what you say, it does sound as though the birdlife in your area may be relatively poor, but don't be discouraged! If you are the only local person putting out food on a regular basis, then everything in the area will come to you, particularly if we get some hard weather over the winter. It's also very important to provide a source of fresh water; a pond if you have room, or just a birdbath if you haven't. Turn your garden into an oasis in an urban desert and you'll be amazed at what turns up.

ATB
Tursiops

[allerleirauh]

Hello Summer ,
don`t be sad, i am sure the birds will come.. They have first to learn to know your feeding place. And if you offer them a variety of different food.. you can be sure they will come and then also return. It takes just a little bit patience.. :-) . i do not think that crow or magpies are a problem.. mostly the real problem are cats. So, birds are of course very careful in the first time.
By the way, I offer "my" birds also oat-flakes, fried in oil, most of the gardenbirds love them. I do not give any vegetable or fruits, it is freezing and then not anymore to eat for birds. IN the cold months they mainly need fat and proteins.
The open fields should not be a bigger problem, in my opinion. Here a lot of birds are coming down from the mountains and also from the forrests, when it is getting too cold and they fly often far distances over open land
so...just wait and see, the winter just started :-)

[pheonix]

im all up for the idea of an urban oasis! in some areas they are very important as there arnt any other habitats sutable for wildlife for miles around. and you may be presently suprised alot of rare and vagrant birds turn up in london, and ive found reptile colonies where you wouldnt believe (even in central reservations on main A roads!).

dont give up

[nightshade]

Summer,I live between two main roads but since altering my style of gardening I am amazed at just what does turn up.Oasis or breathing-space whatever you call it each wildlife friendly patch gives them a chance
Stick at it, the wildlife will beat a path to your door, just keep the welcome mat out!

[Diane]

If you've only just moved there, it may take a while before the local birds realise there's a new feeding station in town. We moved into a brand new house last year, and steadily built up the feeders and designed the garden to be bird-friendly. So far we are up to 19 species, including a Sparrowhawk who took one of the Goldfinches. We put out sunflower hearts and peanuts, as well as niger seed, which the Goldfinches love.

We live in a village, but it's quite a busy area, although there are fields nearby. We have quite a few Goldfinches, Greenfinches and the usual House Sparrows, Blackbirds and Starlings. A Robin visits occasionally and we saw the Wren again the other day. He/she hasn't visited for some time, or at least we haven't seen it. Occasionally a Chaffinch appears, but we don't see many Blue and Great Tits. We did put some nest boxes up and had a Blue Tit nest in one, but I think the single youngster was quite weak and we fear it did not survive. The Dunnocks love to forage in the borders, where we have planted a native hedgerow.

I'm sure you'll have more birds in the future. Just be patient and keep doing what you're doing.

[Summer]

Thanks to everyone for all your replies and support!

I have put out the sunflower hearts and also some robin mix that has small worms and insects in it which I'm sure if I were a bird would look very appetising!