Seeking wild bird advice

[dc2009]

Hi everyone!

After recently moving homes I've erected a new bird table (attached to the fence) which is now being regularly visited by Starlings, Magpies, Pigeons and Squirrels. On this I've been putting a mixture of wild bird mix, fat blocks (with insects/berries) and some sunflower hearts/ peanuts. The foods vanishing so fast I can't keep up!

The house is on a new estate so the garden has nothing in it though I've planted some honeysuckles, pyracantha and buddleia's which I believe are supposed to provide a food source and attract insects for the birds. I also have planted some clematis to provide them with some cover.

I am hoping to have a tree, what sort would be best for the birds - was thinking of a Japanese Maple but don't know if there are maybe better options that could be possibly grown in a pot so as to not let them get too large?

Have seen some blue tits around but think the large birds are keeping them away from the table so am contemplating getting a feeding station. I could then put the fat, peanuts and sunflower hearts here maybe closer to the house as the table is at the end of the garden - would anyone recommend this or do you think as the garden is not yet established it would not be used?

Looking online the seed feeder trays say they encourage more birds to use them and prevent spillage, but I am wondering if then the large birds would dominate these too and sit on the trays? Has anyone experience of using these - what did you find?

Sorry for the many questions, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks! :-)

[ron1863]

Hi and a warm welcome to WAB.

I use peanut and seed feeders that discourages large birds and a table feeder with a roof that makes it difficult for larger birds to land on. I hang fat balls on the branches of a Clematis and Honeysuckle, but the Squirrels find them eventually.

[Jez]

Hi dc2009 another warm welcome to WAB!

I have like Ron have both hanging seed and peanut feeders in my garden for the small birds and a ground feeder for the larger birds- blackbirds, song thrushes etc! A station feeder is a good idea away from the back or fence where cats might be able to get to the feeder!

A tree suitable for a large pot, why not go for a Sambucus, Callicarpa, Leycesteria or a Prunus (ornamental cherry) I'm sure you local plant nursery will advice you on a suitable size pot, though be prepared to shell out some cash for that as trees obviously are going to need something large to accommodate them!

Jez

[Jez]

Some additional links to the trees/shrubs I suggested

http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteo...nsis_plant.jpg Elder trees produce berries for birds in Autumn!

http://z.about.com/d/gardening/1/0/L...eautyBloom.jpg This Elder has a Japanese Acer look about it!

http://www.pendernursery.com/Images/...37;27Issai.jpg Beautyberry bushes provide berries which won't get eaten until late winter when all other berries have been eaten!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._formosa_E.jpg Blackbirds in my garden like this shrub for it's berries though any berries that get left may start sprouting, so pull up any unwanted saplings!

http://www.suggestsoft.com/images/ra...creensaver.gif Blossoms may attract Bullfinches!

[dc2009]

Hi Ron & Jez, thanks for the advice! Had a magpie and wood pigeon both trying to dominate the bird table this morning so am thinking a couple of hanging feeders with peanuts, sunflower hearts and maybe suet would be a good idea to let others get a look in!

[Oaktree]

Can I just mention to everybody feeding birds at this time of the year to avoid using peanuts whilst the parent birds are feeding their chicks.
This sounds a bit like the warnings on packets of nuts re: children choking on nuts, however, it does also apply to chicks. Mealworms would be a good substitute.
Don't forget to keep the bird's water dishes filled with fresh water.

[dc2009]

Resident birds now include:Blackbird, Robin, Magpies, Starlings and Wood Pigeons...

[Monkey Orchid]

How about a small crab apple tree, dc? Malus 'Admiration' is a nice dwarf species, would do fine in a container if you wanted to keep it in a pot. Dense deep pink buds opening to white flowers, red-bronze fruits. Good for birds and insects.

Berberis is a great bird-friendly shrub - my mum had one in her garden and long-tailed tits used to nest in it. They are so spiky they're cat-proof! Berberis darwinii is evergreen, dense growing, very hardy and easy to grow... But there are lots of other varieties. I think all of them bear berries as well as flowers.

For insects, Hebe is a good choice. They're also a good tough hardy shrub and come in loads of varieties, with widely ranging sizes, growth habits, foliage and flower colours from white to pink to purple. Bees of all kinds are particularly fond of this plant.

For creating cover for birds, ivy is fantastic. As it matures it will flower and attract insects, then bear berries which thrushes etc will relish. I got a sprig of ivy from my mum a few years back which is now growing all over a small fence which divides the main part of our garden from our veg patch - it's easy to control by regular trimming with secateurs. As long as you keep it away from guttering or buildings it shouldn't create any problems.

Happy birdwatching!

[paddy]

My main problem has been with wood pigeons, that'll just eat until everything's gone. I solved this by using a bird table, but pinning small lengths of wood round the uprights holding the roof up, leaving enough room for small birds, but stopping the woodies getting on. I stick some bits down the garden for them - just cos i don't like them, don't mean i should starve them!

[Ilex]

A native crab apple would be good in a large tub and would limit the size of it - I've been thinking of putting one in a half whisky barrel for some time. Crab apples support a large variety of wildlife with insects going for the flowers and birds for the apples. You also have the bonus of taking some apples for making apple jelly! There are one or two more ornamental varieities that whilst are probably not as good for allround wildlife are still very beneficial. Japanese Crab (Malus Floribunda) is covered in pink flowers in spring which insects are supposed to love and very small fruits follow that are taken by birds.

The Silver Birch is a beautiful native tree that whilst too big for a pot is easy enough to limit in size. My two aren't over 7 metres, yet are lovely mature specimens and I live in an end of terrace Wimpy estate house so it is possible.

Rowans are also lovely trees with plenty of wildlife benefit. I believe there are some smaller varieties that may suit a pot. I'd have a look on the RHS plantfinder for you but its currently down . Here is one such possibility listed on the Shoot Gardening website: Sorbus reducta - shoot

Hope this helps.

Graeme