bird sounds

[scamps180]

It's Sunday morning, new bird feeder in the garden to attract them and camera is ready, but nothing to be seen, we have a robin come into our garden on and off and would like to get him on pic, being a complete novice can anyone advise me if it's ok to play bird sounds to attract them or is this not fair on the birds.
scamps.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by scamps180

It's Sunday morning, new bird feeder in the garden to attract them and camera is ready, but nothing to be seen, we have a robin come into our garden on and off and would like to get him on pic, being a complete novice can anyone advise me if it's ok to play bird sounds to attract them or is this not fair on the birds.
scamps.

Hi scamps and a warm welcome to the site.

Wouldn't like to say if it's fair or not to play bird sounds to attract the birds but I think you would probably have more success with putting the right kind of food out to attract them. Robins love meal worms and are very partial to a bit of grated cheese as well.

You mentioned the new feeder, birds do take time to become accustomed to a new feeding source in their area and it can be a few weeks before they begin to visit on a regular basis. Also they need to feel safe at your feeder/feeders.

Sighting your feeders near some natural cover such as shrubs or trees that they can take cover in from predators will help as well.

Sure you will gets lots of other good advise from others as well.

[scamps180]

Thanks Ollie for the advise and the welcome.

[GTH]

Hello Scamps......and welcome

My suggestion regarding attracting birds into your garden would be similar. Have patience and let it be natural with bird feeders...and they will come ! They tend to take a little time, but will, as the winter goes on,find you. If the feeders have some kind of cover, then it`s ideal, as we started with one some years ago....and now have many spread about our garden( 12 be be exact !!) ....and the visitors have amazed us to the extent that we now look for the new species that come along......year by year. Last year it was the redwing....and this year we have goldcrests, wrens, chiffchaffs, and nuthatchs visiting every day, and grey wagtails on rare occasions.

The regulars like blue tits, black birds, great tits,longtail tits, coal tits, chaffinchs, greenfinchs, robins, magpies, doves, and dunnock`s we still value, however they are constantly obvious by their presence..by volume.

This year we even had a robin literally feeding out of our hands for the 6 weeks he was around !!...and what an experience that was.So you will never know until you try, and you will never know what may appear


If i may suggest an additional way to attract them too, .....it would be to provide some water.....something we overlooked, not by not providing it as we have a pond,, but realising that they needed to drink....and that was a great photographic opportunity. When you think about it, it`s as important as food, and we`ve noticed how many come to the pond for a bath or drink.....so we know that little extra brings double the chance.

I wish you well,and hope you will update us as you progress.

Compared to others, my story is small, however it`s mine, and long may it continue as it brings great joy.

I hope this has helped Scamps, as we started where you are now, so i hope you have your own story that amazes you.

Geoff

[scamps180]

Many thanks Geoff, will take all your good advice on board.