Hi I'd really appreciate some help I started feeding the birds in the spring but I didn't have many visit so moved my feeding station to the bottom of the garden and I started to get a few finch every day and a Robin. I then went away in the summer for 2 weeks came back to feeders were empty so refilled them but only the Robin came back. I also noticed that the squirrels were helping themselves so got them their own feeding station. I then moved the feeding station away from the squirrels. The feeding station has now been in its new place for about 6 weeks but only the Robin has returned. Would really appreciate any help thank you
Hi Cathy, are there any bushes or trees near the feeders that will offer shelter for the birds? If you are able to show a photo of the setup then hopefully someone will have some suggestions.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Completely agree with monkeycheese. Birds need to feel safe when feeding as they are vulnerable then (not looking out for predators), so having shelter nearby is very important. Our most popular feeders are hanging under our pergola and under our willow trees because the birds have lots of branches nearby to perch on and look out for predators and cover when they are feeding. If your feeders are near to cover then I would give it some more time, it took about a month when we first moved here before the birds found the feeders and were happy too use them.
This is my feeding station
Lovely garden and feeders, but I'd definitely say they are a little exposed. There's no cover while the birds are feeding and no branches or near cover to perch on or dash into. Garden predators like Sparrowhawks will take a bird if it's feeding and distracted and there isn't cover for it to hide in. If there are roaming cats in the area too, jumping up on the fences and walking along them, that would also put birds off. You've got some lovely bushes and shrubs further down your garden, I would definitely nestle some of the feeders amongst those instead. If you want that grey slate/gravel area to be a wildlife corner, you could have a small pond instead, even a sunken washing up bowl with stones plants and water in will attract a lot of wildlife from insects to birds coming in for a quick drink. If not, then I would either plant a small tree or bush there or have a wooden structure like a pergola to give some cover from above. Great selection of feeders though, well done you! :)
Unfortunately I have no trees in my garden apart from one which was cut back as it was looking very poorly hoping this would help it come back to life. Will move it to be nearer some shrubs. Thank y for your help
You're welcome, I hope it works.