Getting more birds in my garden

[amycaramel]

Good morning WABbers!

I moved and got my first garden about 2 months ago. I have plants with berries, 2 established fruit trees a variety of feeders and a water bath for the local birds. First month nothing visited, this last month I got one blackbird, a robin, a blue tit and 2 woodpigeons.

Is there anything else I can do to attract more birds...or do I just need to be patient and wait for other birds to find my little garden!

Any ideas welcome!

Amy

[faz]

hi welcome to WAB give it it time but you need to put out fresh food and water every day that way the local birds will no to visit your garden

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by amycaramel

Good morning WABbers!

I moved and got my first garden about 2 months ago. I have plants with berries, 2 established fruit trees a variety of feeders and a water bath for the local birds. First month nothing visited, this last month I got one blackbird, a robin, a blue tit and 2 woodpigeons. Is there anything else I can do to attract more birds...or do I just need to be patient and wait for other birds to find my little garden! Any ideas welcome! Amy

There's still plenty of food in the hedgerows and with relatively mild weather, still plenty of invertebrates available, so few birds are under pressure to find food. As the Autumn progresses I'm sure you will find an increase in visitors. Do change the food in the feeders if it's not being eaten - maybe just half fill them till things get busy, and do ensure the water is kept topped up and clean - you'll only need one muddy footed Blackbird to decide to take a bath to have pristine bath turn to a mud pool.

CM

[amycaramel]

Thanks, I have been changing water daily, but not the food. Half filling, as suggested, sounds good. Hate waste!

I'll let you know how it goes!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by amycaramel

Thanks, I have been changing water daily, but not the food. Half filling, as suggested, sounds good. Hate waste!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Just to clarify - changing the food every day should not be necessary, just don't leave it till it starts to rot. In reasonably dry weather two to three weeks may be OK - though a week a rain will do for most seed mixes, and in any weather fat balls ought to last a month.

Blackbird and Robin are mostly ground feeders so you are unlikely to see them on the feeders very often. A scattering of food on the ground will attract them along with Dunnock, you can get ground feed mixes which have been rolled to prevent germination and Blackbirds love dried fruit and also apple pieces. Many WAB posters reported last year that peanuts were very much out of favour with their garden birds (why ?) and that the most widely sought staple was hulled sunflower seed - this is probably the most economical feed avaible and does last reasonably well. Seeds spilled from the feeders once they are in use will be picked up by the Blackbirds, Robins etc and by having an 'empty day' once a week you can ensure that most spilled feed gets cleared away. In very bad weather though keep the feeders full if you can.

CM

[amycaramel]

My blackbird is eating fallen apples, not the seed I have put out so not supprised they like dried fruit, cheers for tip! And now you mention it robin has been eating seed knocked off by clumsy wood pigeons. I will get some of my feed on the ground too.

Wow so much advice already, v.happy joined WAB!

[actionfinch]

welcome ...like u say patience and you will reep the rewards.
i put out mix on my tables every morning top up the nuts for the squirells then half an hour or so the birds come for breaky...but i was like yourself and now love it .

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by amycaramel

I will get some of my feed on the ground too.

The Pigeons will love that! :-)

I have the same problem, except I've been waiting since July for some variety other than Robin, Pigeon and the occasional Starling. But come winter the will be looking to us more for food, as already been said there's still plenty around for them outside our gardens.

Nige

[amycaramel]

It is getting a bit busier out there, sadly I hav been too busy to sit at spot individuals. I have seen a few tail feathers as birds hop around the ground, food levels needing more topping up and I am keeping the bird bath clean.

I some day light hours at home now to enjoy it all. But the important thing is the birdies know they have food, water and a bit of shelter in my garden!


Thanks again for all your advice.

[faz]

as long as you keep up the food and water you will have them all over winter when they need it most it would not be fair on our featherd friends if they make the effort and waste a lot of valuble energy to fly to your feed station to find none ther they will soon find a nother one happy bird spotting let us know what you see and pics of any your arer not sure of have fun