Getting birds in the garden

[Hassan]

Has anyone got any tips for getting birds to come to my garden. At the moment the only birds I see in the area are two magpies who go through my bin (lid was broken by the bin men) and throw the rubbish every where.

The estate is all new build and our garden is only in its second year so there is no big shrubs or trees for them to shelter in, I am growing a rambling rose over the shed but I doubt it would be much cover or good for nesting.

The garden is southeast facing, has fencing on both sides and a garage wall at the end. It's not big and it is all raised beds.

I don't have a bird table or anything at the moment as I am not sure anything will come due to the magpies. Will putting bird boxes up help also?


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[Bigmallly]

Can you hang any bird feeders or fat balls on the shed, we are coming up to that time of year when the birds will be gratefull for some tit-bits.

[veggiechicken]

Can you repair the bin lid, or cover it so that the magpies can't get into it? If they can't get into mischief in your garden they'll go elsewhere. Then you'll stand more chance of attracting the smaller birds.

[Two_Sheds]

there is no big shrubs or trees

Where are the nearest trees?

That's where the bird population will be hanging out. If it's near enough to you, you can bring them in with feeders

[Nicos]

It may sound a bit strange...but....

A thought ahead for next year.....

How about asking friends and neighbours for their old Xmas trees and fastening them to the fencing in the New Year? It doesn't matter that they will be dying back.

You can provide some nibbles in them/near to a few feeders...and then when your shrubs/trees get bigger you can compost/shred/recycle them.

You'd be providing something your neighbours aren't...and so be of great interest to some species of birds!
You may even need to do this for a couple of years!

I know it sounds a bit strange...but if you are really keen, you need to offer something different from your neighbours!
A fresh water supply too would be a great incentive to visit your garden!

[pauco]

Time and patience, are the main things to have in mind.
They will come down to feed in their own time, but a little help from yourself goes a long way.
Water is a must have, more so in winter, try scattering a few sultanas around the garden to see which birds visit you should get Blackbirds-Robins they are nosey little birdies at the best of times!
Good luck.

paul.

[Nicos]

just had a thought....value oats from the supermarket...our birds adore them!!

Thing is- whatever you do, you need to do it on a daily basis so they realise the source is dependable.

Also- a lot of birds at the moment are migratory so they need to see clearly from above there is a 'Transport Caff' down below!

[Lazy Gardener]

We used to get a whole rake of birds in our small garden. Couple of small wagtails? Would come and have a drink/dip? in the pond when it was icy. My pond doesnt normally freeze. So plenty of flowing water during the winter.

Then we seemed to have an influx of neighbours with cats.

Seagulls and large black crows? are all we seem to get hanging around now.

[Olorin2001]

Once you have food available for birds, they will come, but it does take a while for them to notice, better if they have some shelter, tree, hedge, bushes etc. so they feel safe, have somewhere to hide. But once you start feeding you should continue, you will be on there list of food sources and when the weather turn bad, depending on you. Water is as important as food.

[shellyanne1987]

I'm in a similar situation, my house is a few months old and my estate still being built, I have a window bird box with seed in and I'm scattering seeds on my shed roof in hope birds flying over might see it

[Sheneval]

I have a couple of bird feeders that have protective wire round them - sold as squirrel proof but the work against crows, magpies, pigeons and starlings so that the smaller birds can always get their share.

I have seen all of the above in my garden at the same time so the presence of magpies shouldn't necessarily scare off the smaller birds.

[RaptorUK]

It takes time to get birds to visit your garden or any other space you have.

We have a smallish garden, maybe 120 sq m, we get through around 50 kg of bird seed/suet pellets a year, we feed all year long. We often have 20 + sparrows in the garden, usually a pair of Robins, the pair of Blackbirds is back after their Summer holidays, ( they hide away while the moult ), we have Pigeons, Collared Doves, Goldfinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits . . . the occasional sortie of a Long Tail Tit squadron, we had a Blackcap for about a week last year . . a Wren but we don't see it often as it's so small . . . we have had Greenfinches but just now and then.

We get Magpies in and out and Starlings now and again, but they are no trouble.

Our main feeder is a 3 feet long Yankees Droll 6 port feeder with a tray, to catch any falling seed/suet) and cage to keep out the Squirrels. It also has a fat ball feeder attached to it that the Male Blackbird feeds from, he figured it out (I'll post some pictures later)

We also have a small square cage feeder that was intended for live mealworms that we use with a little heap of suet pellets for the more shy birds, it's at the top of the garden.

[dogsbody]

Raptor - you get my vote, keep up the good work and don't forget the Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of the month.

[Compo72]

We have found that little birds tend to go for sunflower seeds as there favourite .
With fat balls coming second

I'm not convinced that the seed mixes you buy are worthwhile
Birds seem to be picky as to what they like

It is important to place feeders . Where the birds feel safe to feed .
Away from birds of prey .





Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

[shellyanne1987]

My house is literally months old the estate still being built on but I've seen birds flying over so have a window feeder and also throw seeds on the shed roof every night. I think it's just a game of patience from there