new bird feeding station

[rachelralph]

hello i am new to this forum and need some advice. i was given for xmas a new bird feeding station which i am very excited about, with it came loads of different feeds. i have so many types of birds in my garden and love watching them. i have placed the feeding station towards the back of the garden near the elderberry tree where all the birds seem to sit. as of yet none of the smaller birds are interested in the feed. i have noticed a few wood pigeons using it and one or two black birds eating the fallen seeds off the floor. like i said i have very many different birds in the garden yellow finches being my favorite, but they are just not interested.
i am wondering if it is the food i am provding or is it that pigeons are territrial and are scaring off the other little birds? there are no cats in my garden as the dog next door makes sure of this. i dont think the birds are bothered by the dog as they have always eaten from the little cage i put out and the dog never scared them off. if it is the pigoens that are scaring them hoe do i get rid of them?

[Wild-Woman]

Hello and welcome ro WAB.
The name of the game is patience regarding your feeding station. The pigeons won't make a difference. Do you know if they are wood pigeons or feral?
You describe yellow finches, I think you are describing greenfinches.
I'm pleased you've joined WAB, we're a friendly lot and we all love the birds.

[Cordaline]

Welcome to WAB from me too.

I was given one of these for Christmas aswell but haven't put it out yet.
When I do, I'll let you know how I get on with mine.

As with most new feeders to a garden, once they discover it & 'spread the word' so to speak, I'm sure you'll have plenty of visitors & enjoy watching them.

Happy bird watching.

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

You describe yellow finches, I think you are describing greenfinches.

Could be Goldfinch



I've had a feeding station in my garden since the summer and I rarely get anything other than Pigeon's and a Robin, occasionally I get some Blue Tits. but I have lots of different birds flying over all the time, I still can't understand why they don't stop

Nige

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Could be Goldfinch

True.

[rachelralph]

thanks so much guys. i will be patiant and see what happens.
im not entirely sure what are the yellow birds, my mum said they were yellow finches but i am a complete novice at this, i think i need to get me a birdy book!

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by rachelralph

thanks so much guys. i will be patiant and see what happens.
im not entirely sure what are the yellow birds, my mum said they were yellow finches but i am a complete novice at this, i think i need to get me a birdy book!

No problem. Nice to have you here. You could have a look in the WAB Gallery in birds and specifly 'finches' to see if you can match up your birds.

[rachelralph]

oooo the wonder of google.... i found out it was a goldfinch

[nightshade]

Try changing to Sunflower hearts, the packaged food could have been in stock for a little too long perhaps or not a food recognised as suitable.

[Michelleatiisis]

Sunflower hearts will get the goldfinch down from the tree within a day!

I have a flock about 20 strong and after 2 months they still didn't use the feeders, but used it within an hour of switching to sunflower hearts!
Now I just use the mixed seed on feeding trays for the robin, chaffinch, doves and woodpigeon.