I have recently found out that fat balls should be taken out of the little netted bag for fear of amputation. So I bought a fat ball container and put about 4 fat balls in and now the birds won't come near it. I know sometimes it can take a little time for the brds to become accustomed to a new feeder and I do have other food out but it's been nearly a week now and still no birds. Has anyone come across this? and does anyone have a theory? Many Thanks
Hi Seamark, Welcome to the forum.
It is important to remember that birds are cautious about exploring new feeding stations. It can take as long as as a few months for birds to visit a new feeder, so do not get discouraged if you add a feeder to your garden and it is not immediately visited. Keep it filled and change the suet as necessary to prevent mold or staleness.
Break them up and use as ground feed.
Feeders should be placed at various heights around your garden. This is especially important if there are cats or other predators in the area. Although many birds will feed off the ground, if all your feeders are placed too low you may have trouble convincing them to come. If birds suspect there are predators nearby, they will not put themselves in harm’s way. Offer feeders at varying heights to ensure birds can feed safely.
A common problem in bird feeding is the placement of the feeders. First, the feeders must be within a very short distance of trees. This provides the birds a safe place to escape to if a predator or unexpected disturbance frightens them while feeding. If trees are not available, shrubs, fencing, or a deck can substitute quite well.
In time, the birds will trust it is a safe feeding station and will visit often.
Hope this helps Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Buzzard said: Hi Seamark, Welcome to the forum. It is important to remember that birds are cautious about exploring new feeding stations. It can take as long as as a few months for birds to visit a new feeder, so do not get discouraged if you add a feeder to your garden and it is not immediately visited. Keep it filled and change the suet as necessary to prevent mold or staleness. Break them up and use as ground feed. Feeders should be placed at various heights around your garden. This is especially important if there are cats or other predators in the area. Although many birds will feed off the ground, if all your feeders are placed too low you may have trouble convincing them to come. If birds suspect there are predators nearby, they will not put themselves in harm’s way. Offer feeders at varying heights to ensure birds can feed safely. A common problem in bird feeding is the placement of the feeders. First, the feeders must be within a very short distance of trees. This provides the birds a safe place to escape to if a predator or unexpected disturbance frightens them while feeding. If trees are not available, shrubs, fencing, or a deck can substitute quite well. In time, the birds will trust it is a safe feeding station and will visit often. Hope this helps Regards Buzzard
Many Thanks Buzzard,
I will scatter a little on the ground and try moving the feeder to a different position. I do get alot of birds in my tiny garden and they usually take to something new relatively quickly however I think I need to move the whole feeding station as it seems a little blue tit is fiercely defending the whole corner as there is a nest box close by and he/she doesn't like anyone in the area.
Kind regards, Seamark