Hi Nikki, my first thought is - if you build it they will come! It may take time and patience but I'm sure with the range of foods you're offering you will get takers sooner or later.
Other than that is it feasible for you to put food/feeders in the hedgerow you mention? I do know of people who maintain feeders in 'wild' places, and they're usually very successful. If your problem in the garden is absence of cover, would this be a suitable safe alternative?
Regads
Ian
First of all, good luck in your new home Nikki and hope you and the birds settle in quickly; sounds like a lovely area with fields opposite, hedgerows and fruit bearing trees so in time you will have good chance of seeing plenty of birds in your garden. Like all new properties it often takes two years or more for new plants and trees to establish themselves but if you can purchase more advanced shrubs and ornamental trees this should give the birds enough cover to tempt them in to your feeders. Sounds like you are putting a good variety of bird food out; I find the birds top choice is sunflower hearts so I don't bother buying nyger seeds any more as the finches seem to prefer the sun-hearts. I'm sure you've given new plants and flowers plenty of thought but Rowan trees, Malas (Cherry), Cotoneaster, Pyracantha are always a good place to start if you want to attract birds. I also plant a few bee friendly flowers too and grow Teasel plants which will provide the thistle seeds.
I agree that bird watching brings enormous pleasure and especially if you are more housebound. I hope you get offers of help to establish your new garden and you can sit back and enjoy the wildlife that visits your new garden. I make raw pastry which is a good way to feed the birds and cuts the cost down a bit; plain flour (no salt of course), lard, add a handful of grated mild cheddar cheese or a few suet pellets, sunflower hearts or kibbled peanuts (or mix) and bind with enough water to pull the pastry together without it being too sticky. You can place bits of the raw pastry on any shrubs or plants you have in your garden or even place a few bits on the fence and the birds will love it. I often put a roll of pastry into a fat ball or fat cake feeder for the birds.
Good luck once again Nikki and hope its not long before the birds are flocking to your feeders. Keep us updated when you can.
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Regards, Hazel
Thank you so much.
I have already thought about adding a feeder to the hedgerow opposite the house. I had thought that they'll probably be regular visitors there anyway, especially when they're full of blackberries!
My last garden was so well established and we had visitors all day. I left my feeding station for the new owners, because there were so many different birds coming, you could set your watch by them.
I have also attracted bees and butterflies into my garden, which I'm hoping to do again. I think everyone's right, that I'm going to have to be very patient. I'll gradually plant some more mature, established shrubs and small trees, but that'll take time and money. I just need to be patient and do things as and when it's possible.
I've always attracted more finches with the nyger seed, although they do eat the sunflower hearts too. I do like my birds to get a good selection! Spring is fun, as I get live meal worms and only last year had a robin that was far too tame when I put them out! I think I'm going to miss my visitors for a while, but I won't give up. I'll probably be a regular visitor to this community now and I'll definitely let you know when I see my first feathered friend.