How to attract small birds
I live in the London suburbs next to a main road, so we don't get many small birds in our garden. I would like to change that if possible. We have a pair of robins who nest in a small tree in our garden - they're a real blessing and we enjoy their company when gardening - but otherwise we only really get magpies and pigeons.
Can anyone recommend bird food and (squirrel-proof) bird feeders to attract a wider variety of birds? I don't even care which small birds we attract - I'm really not fussy!
Can anyone recommend bird food and (squirrel-proof) bird feeders to attract a wider variety of birds? I don't even care which small birds we attract - I'm really not fussy!
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I would say to be very patient too. Sometimes nervous birds (like mine) can take weeks to get used to new feeders, or moving feeders. Try out things over the summer and see what works. Don't give up. If you have lawn or a pond, very tall trees or good nesting opps, you will may variously different sets of birds.
I bought a fairly expensive seed holder,to deter the big birds,but I see that they have a very good selection of feeders in Lidls this week,peanut,seed,fastball all with an outer cage to protect from the big birds and squirrels.
The small birds have now increased to a Wren,Bullfinch,Starling,Sparrows and a pair of blackbirds.I'm finding that half an Apple on the bird table is being eaten,but I don't know who's having it! The bird table is adorned with chicken wire to keep the big birds out!!
Be aware also that neighbouring gardens may be feeding birds and they'll go to what they're used to. Provide shelter and fresh water but also have some feeders out in the open away from pouncing cats. Some birds are ground feeders and won't use hanging feeders so find a good place to scatter some decent seeds or meal worms for them too.
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If you have a high number of cats around you will have a low number of birds around. They will just find the area too dangerous to hang around.
I speak as a cat owner and a bird watcher. High, inaccessible, bird tables with a roof, either on a pole or hanging from a tree branch, are popular here.
The danger is not always from cats though. Eyes are everywhere.