Can anyone explain this. I am mystified.
I have two bird feeders hoisted to the top of a small cherry tree. they are about 10' high and I can see them from my first floor study window. One feeder is the type with very small apertures and this is filled with niger seeds. Goldfinches love this and I have a flock who visit daily, and empty the container in a week ! I have seen as many as 8 in the tree at a time. The other feeder is the standard type with a normal size hole, perching sticks and a tray beneath to catch the spilt seed and attract birds other than tits and finches. However, no bird ever comes near this one ! There are lots of birds around, my house is on the edge of a park, but they just ignore this feeder, even during the very cold weather. Could it be that the goldfinches dominate this tree and other birds feel threatened ? or is there another explanation. I'd love to know.
Hello Philip, and welcome to the forum.
Congratulations on your goldfinches, such lovely birds.
You don't say what sort of food you have in your second feeder. Sunflower hearts are also loved by goldfinches as well as many other birds. All birds seem to love the berry suet pellets, which could be mixed with sunflower hearts or fed separately, or scattered on the ground. I think it is a matter of trying different things and then being patient. I doubt it is the goldfinches threatening the others.
Cheers, Linda.
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I forgot to say that blue tits like nuts and are also great eaters of suet. Try hanging some suet cakes/fat balls and a peanut feeder.
Hi PhilipMann welcome to the forums.
Without knowing how long you have had your feeders in sittu, I can only give the following advice.
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 seeds as necessary to prevent mold or staleness.
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.
I've never known Goldfinches to be a dominant feeder, they tend to disperse very easily when other species arrive. They fight and squabble among'st themselves.
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