Hi I live in exeter. There are a few cats that live in my street. I have an aged cat that rarely goes out. I have been trying to attract birds to my garden. I've tried in the past without much luck. Besides from cats there are usually seagulls and large pigeons around. I am surprised that there seems to be a lack of birds in my area. My street is adjacent to a widelife area / ground and I know there are plenty of birds in that area but they seem not to want to venture to the more urban street. Is this effort worth it? I am wondering if the presence of gulls is the is the problem and I am going to be unable to get any birds in my garden?
Hi there, and welcome to the forum.
I live opposite some allotments and we have loads of gulls circling round most of the time. I have also been feeding them on my shed roof during this snowy spell. I have several feral pigeons who visit my garden and use the bird table and the feeders. There is also a neighbourhood moggie who stalks about from time to time, and I have 2 dogs who patrol the garden. My garden is well used by a variety of garden birds. I think it unlikely it is the gulls or the pigeons who are stopping the birds from visiting you.
You don't say what sort of food you are offering, what sort of feeders you have, where the feeders are located, or how long you have been trying. All this makes a difference, and it always very much worth the effort.
Perhaps you could let us know what the situation is with your food and feeders, and maybe someone can come up with some suggestions to help you.
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi, I have three dogs, a cat thats always trying to get the birds in my garden, I also have gulls landing and feeding in my garden, but I get lots of other birds as well, they all fright but most of the time they just feed.
Sparrow is right you need to put out the right food, try not to put out white bread.
I have a mix that work very well,
I buy old brown seeded bread, ( go into your supermarket end of day )brown bread is best.
cheap apples
cheap cheese ( or old cheese )
Peanuts
Put in all in a food processor till finely chopped then just put it on a bird table and on the gound.
then just wait !
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
I see that lots of folk have posted similar posts about where are all the birds. I went to the rspb shop the other day and spent a small fortune on 'stuff' I considered it an investment for a good cause. Anyway I had / have plenty of windfall apples in my garden, peanuts in wire hangers, fat balls, seed mix and general bird table mix with fruit in so they are quite well looked after. some food is on a bird table. some hanging off hedges. I scatter som on top of my shed which is flat roof to entice them down. I think the food which I had out was hardly touched so it went mouldy. So I've cleaned it all out placed the feeders in different places. little and often untill I get a crowd at least so it won't go mouldy. I think I've got the jist now of what to do. I am glad that the cat / gulls won't scare any birds off. My moggy has only just ventured out since christmas today. so can't blame her. I'll try that cheese / bread mix... Zoe