Dearth of feeding birds

 I have the usual choice on my bird table, assorted seed, peanuts and fat
balls, though they have been out for some time now I getting very few
birds feeding. Is this a general problem, or is there something keeping
my birds away? For the life of me I cannot see any reason.
--
Residing on low ground in North Staffordshire

 wrote:


I think all your birds are here eating me out of house and second
mortgage! Birds are like that, fickle things in a way. At this time of
year, there may be other food sources around your area - berries and
so forth. Roger in Mid Wales had a similar thing a while back but in
time the birds returned.

Or maybe you have a bit of a chill and they're somewhere warmer?

I'd say don't worry too much. Just reduce the amount of food you put
out (to reduce waste) and remember to change it regularly as old food
won't be so attractive and can harbour diseases. Maybe stick to seed
and peanuts and skip the fat balls. When they come back, increase the
amount and variety again.

I made the "mistake" of switching from an all-singing seed mix to just
sunflower hearts. The variety of birds increased as, unfortunately for
my wallet, so did the quantity! I've stopped nyger seed as well. They
seem to like the new menu a lot better. Just sunflower and peanuts.

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
URGling in between collecting leaves at
the dryer (east) end of Swansea Bay.

 
  They must all be here, scoffing ours. We've been remarking how many
birds are feeding here atm and how fast they're getting through it!

  A couple of possibilities; one is, if it's a relatively new feeding
station it may be in the wrong location from a bird POV; too noisy, or
either too exposed ot too enclosed. In this garden, I have to site feeders
where hawks can't easily see/ get to them. Small birds flock to roofed
bird tables and hanging feeders close to bushes, but avoid open-top
birdtables or feeding on open ground where they are just a sitting target.

  Another possibility is that someone sold you old stock that's gone
stale. It's always best to buy birdfood from a source with a fast turnover
of fresh supplies, rather than some small shop that sells very little
birdfood .

   Janet.

 

I've recently started feeding them Nyger seeds which apparently are a
favourite of finches.  I've yet to see any Gold finches or Bull finches,
even Chaffinches are rare this year

Bill

 bill.grey@btinternet.com says...

  We found none were interested in nyger seed on the birdtable.   A friend
recommended offering it in a (small holes) hanging feeder to imitate how
goldfinches feed on thistle heads in nature.  When we got one the GF
population went from zero to charms within weeks! At our last Birdwatch
count goldfinches were the second commonest bird in our garden after house
sparrows and they are nesting in the garden now. This year they brought  
15 new chicks to the feeder. They have also, just started spending a lot
of time on the peanut feeders.
  
   Janet