No action on my bird feeders
Try as I might, I cannot seem to coax birds into my garden this year. I
have four feeders hanging from a large apple tree, offering seed and peanuts and fat-balls. I've tried them close together, far apart, at the same height, and also staggered. Nothing doing except for one brave starling feeding only on the fat-ball. This time last year there were loads of Tits. What's going on? Have a I bought some dodgy seed/peanuts? Anyone else noticed a change in bird behaviour? Baz (Essex) |
No action on my bird feeders
Yes, I've noticed the same thing. I've put out bags of peanuts and
fat-balls with seeds, but nothing visits the table at all. In fact, I haven't seen even one bird at the feeder this winter. And like you, the only birds in my garden are starlings. Very odd indeed. "Barry Watts" wrote in message ... Try as I might, I cannot seem to coax birds into my garden this year. I have four feeders hanging from a large apple tree, offering seed and peanuts and fat-balls. I've tried them close together, far apart, at the same height, and also staggered. Nothing doing except for one brave starling feeding only on the fat-ball. This time last year there were loads of Tits. What's going on? Have a I bought some dodgy seed/peanuts? Anyone else noticed a change in bird behaviour? Baz (Essex) |
No action on my bird feeders
In article ,
Jack wrote: Yes, I've noticed the same thing. I've put out bags of peanuts and fat-balls with seeds, but nothing visits the table at all. In fact, I haven't seen even one bird at the feeder this winter. And like you, the only birds in my garden are starlings. Very odd indeed. Barry is in Essex. Where are you? I'm in Clackmannanshire (between Stirlingshire and Fife) and I've had loads of action at the bird feeder this winter, including robins, blackbirds, collared doves, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, chaffinches, a wren, a pied wagtail, greenfinches and goldfinches. The one bird I haven't had interested was starlings. They and the rooks just make noise from on top of the TV aerials. Sharon |
No action on my bird feeders
|
No action on my bird feeders
I'm in Clackmannanshire (between Stirlingshire and Fife) and I've had loads of action at the bird feeder this winter, including robins, blackbirds, collared doves, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, chaffinches, a wren, a pied wagtail, greenfinches and goldfinches. The one bird I haven't had interested was starlings. They and the rooks just make noise from on top of the TV aerials. Sharon Here in South Somerset I have had all the above plus wood pigeon, cock pheasant, greater spotted woodpecker, thrushes, long tailed tits and greenfinches. All but the pheasant have been daily visitors. I am spending small fortune feeding them! |
No action on my bird feeders
Peter Crosland wrote:
I'm in Clackmannanshire (between Stirlingshire and Fife) and I've had loads of action at the bird feeder this winter, including robins, blackbirds, collared doves, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, chaffinches, a wren, a pied wagtail, greenfinches and goldfinches. The one bird I haven't had interested was starlings. They and the rooks just make noise from on top of the TV aerials. Sharon Here in South Somerset I have had all the above plus wood pigeon, cock pheasant, greater spotted woodpecker, thrushes, long tailed tits and greenfinches. All but the pheasant have been daily visitors. I am spending small fortune feeding them! I was relieved to hear that, Peter. I was beginning to think that I had cornered the wild bird market. This East Midlands garden is really busy. We had a pair of long tailed tits visit today but they are not regulars. If anything is down in numbers this year I think it would have to be the green finches. I am getting through 25Kg of seed a month. -- ned |
No action on my bird feeders
"Jack" wrote in message ... Yes, I've noticed the same thing. I've put out bags of peanuts and fat-balls with seeds, but nothing visits the table at all. In fact, I haven't seen even one bird at the feeder this winter. And like you, the only birds in my garden are starlings. Very odd indeed. "Barry Watts" wrote in message ... Try as I might, I cannot seem to coax birds into my garden this year. I have four feeders hanging from a large apple tree, offering seed and peanuts and fat-balls. I've tried them close together, far apart, at the same height, and also staggered. Nothing doing except for one brave starling feeding only on the fat-ball. This time last year there were loads of Tits. What's going on? Have a I bought some dodgy seed/peanuts? Anyone else noticed a change in bird behaviour? Baz (Essex) I'm in Essex too and have had lots of tits, wrens, blackbirds, a pair of mistle thrushes (beautiful), and three doves/pidgeons and other birds visiting my birdtable. Maybe it's a combination of factors ... birds not finding that there's free food to be had ... no nearby nesting areas (hedges, clumps of trees!) or that the area has a previous history that the birds remember as bad! L |
No action on my bird feeders
I have the usual collection birds (tits, finches,ribins etc) but this year
the nuts have gone down very quickly. the culprit, a mouse! He/she climbs up through a small connifer then jumps about 12-18 inches onto the squirrel proof feeder which hangs from a large acacia tree which overhangs the conifer. AndyP -- "Wisest are they that know they do not know." Socrates "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" JRR Toliken, The Hobbit |
No action on my bird feeders
"Sharon Curtis" wrote in message
Barry is in Essex. Where are you? I'm in the Bolton area. I've just realised that there don't seem to be any collared doves around either, and there are usually a zillion of them hanging around. Starlings aplenty, though. But there are 3 cats next door, and I've just finished scraping up cat s*#t (a full bag's worth) from my borders, so I suspect they might be causing the lack of birds. Grrr! |
No action on my bird feeders
In article ,
"Barry Watts" wrote: Try as I might, I cannot seem to coax birds into my garden this year. I have four feeders hanging from a large apple tree, offering seed and peanuts and fat-balls. I've tried them close together, far apart, at the same height, and also staggered. Nothing doing except for one brave starling feeding only on the fat-ball. This time last year there were loads of Tits. What's going on? Have a I bought some dodgy seed/peanuts? Anyone else noticed a change in bird behaviour? Baz (Essex) Variation on the same theme here - St Albans. Seed will be taken from the table by a group of 7 or 8 starlings, collared doves and the odd robin, couple of blackbirds. The starlings go nuts for peanut cake with added insects. The odd sparrow, the starlings and does take seed from the ground. Some tits take nuts and fat balls hung from a hedge. But nothing - nothing at all - will take anything from the feeders. I've changed the seed, cleaned 'em and everything. Maybe when they start nesting and getting really hungry things will change. -- Cut IT out to reply by email |
No action on my bird feeders
On Tue, 11 Mar 2003 18:37:07 +0000 (UTC), "Barry Watts"
wrote: Try as I might, I cannot seem to coax birds into my garden this year. I have four feeders hanging from a large apple tree, offering seed and peanuts and fat-balls. I've tried them close together, far apart, at the same height, and also staggered. Nothing doing except for one brave starling feeding only on the fat-ball. This time last year there were loads of Tits. What's going on? Have a I bought some dodgy seed/peanuts? Anyone else noticed a change in bird behaviour? Baz (Essex) We have plenty of birds but I too think they are not eating the nuts/seeds etc. Blackbirds have lived in our garden for years and I know they feed oin the groud but I wondered if it had anything to do with it. I even devised a cunning plan to keep the squirrels off the nut containers - got a long bamboo pole, shoved a hook made from strong wire into the top of the pole and hung the seed block/nut container on that. Maybe the its and things are about at a different time of day to me. Diana |
No action on my bird feeders
On Wed, 12 Mar 2003 17:51:29 GMT, wrote:
.. Maybe the its and things are about at a different time of day to me. Diana For its read tits of course !! |
No action on my bird feeders
"Barry Watts" wrote in message ... Try as I might, I cannot seem to coax birds into my garden this year. I have four feeders hanging from a large apple tree, offering seed and peanuts and fat-balls. I've tried them close together, far apart, at the same height, and also staggered. Nothing doing except for one brave starling feeding only on the fat-ball. This time last year there were loads of Tits. What's going on? Have a I bought some dodgy seed/peanuts? Anyone else noticed a change in bird behaviour? Baz (Essex) Has a sparrowhawk taken up residence in your area ? Most of the small birds here behave very nervously since a sparrowhawk started visiting the area about 3-4 years ago, and I have found the residual feathers from blackbirds several times. (St. Helens, Lancashire) All I seem to get is blackbirds, one robin, & very small groups of blue tits, chaffinches, green finches making occasional visits, plus collared doves and recently, wood pigeons which are probably too big to be afraid of a sparrowhawk. Bevan Bevan |
No action on my bird feeders
Thanks for all the responses to this. I am very interested indeed to hear
that some areas quite close to me, in Woodford, Essex, are experiencing a similar phenomenon, while others, not that far away, are getting lots of visitors. I am fairly close to Epping Forest here, so expect quite a few visitors. I've seen birds up at the forest, but nothing this year in the garden. Apart from starlings - oh and lots of extremely cheeky magpies! Last year there were lots of birds - so I am ruling out the birds' 'memory of bad experience' theory. There are cats locally, but not too much of a problem. On balance, I think I go for one of two ideas.... either it's Bevan's theory of a predator nearby. Very infrequently I've seen birds of prey circling overhead (not able to identify... sorry). But they're around and its a clear possibility. Alternatively, I still wonder if a bulk crop of peanuts/seeds, common to most local suppliers, might be contaminated. I've tried sprinkling the seed on the ground and it tends to get eated, but they're not exactly queuing up for it. Regards Baz |
No action on my bird feeders
On Wed, 12 Mar 2003 21:48:48 +0000 (UTC), "Barry Watts"
wrote: Thanks for all the responses to this. I am very interested indeed to hear that some areas quite close to me, in Woodford, Essex, are experiencing a similar phenomenon, while others, not that far away, are getting lots of visitors. I am fairly close to Epping Forest here, so expect quite a few visitors. I've seen birds up at the forest, but nothing this year in the garden. Apart from starlings - oh and lots of extremely cheeky magpies! Last year there were lots of birds - so I am ruling out the birds' 'memory of bad experience' theory. There are cats locally, but not too much of a problem. On balance, I think I go for one of two ideas.... either it's Bevan's theory of a predator nearby. Very infrequently I've seen birds of prey circling overhead (not able to identify... sorry). But they're around and its a clear possibility. Alternatively, I still wonder if a bulk crop of peanuts/seeds, common to most local suppliers, might be contaminated. I've tried sprinkling the seed on the ground and it tends to get eated, but they're not exactly queuing up for it. Regards Baz overkill of food supplies ? too many neighbours putting out food so they are all full up ? and maybe the other food supplies locations may have a preferable ambience ? how would you rate your garden for light and large plants ? shadows ? |
No action on my bird feeders
"Barry Watts" wrote in message ... : Thanks for all the responses to this. I am very interested indeed to hear : that some areas quite close to me, in Woodford, Essex, are experiencing a : similar phenomenon, while others, not that far away, are getting lots of : visitors. I am fairly close to Epping Forest here, so expect quite a few : visitors. I've seen birds up at the forest, but nothing this year in the : garden. Apart from starlings - oh and lots of extremely cheeky magpies! : : Last year there were lots of birds - so I am ruling out the birds' 'memory : of bad experience' theory. There are cats locally, but not too much of a : problem. On balance, I think I go for one of two ideas.... either it's : Bevan's theory of a predator nearby. Very infrequently I've seen birds of : prey circling overhead (not able to identify... sorry). But they're around : and its a clear possibility. Alternatively, I still wonder if a bulk crop : of peanuts/seeds, common to most local suppliers, might be contaminated. : I've tried sprinkling the seed on the ground and it tends to get eated, but : they're not exactly queuing up for it. : : Regards : : Baz : Could another possibility be that more of your neighbours are feeding the birds now and they have more choice. I think a lot of people are becoming more interested in wildlife and the environment these days, especially since the publicity surrounding the possible causes for sparrow/starling decline. K |
No action on my bird feeders
Hmmmm....
Alternative abundant food supplies.... I guess its possible. Likely even. But can't say that any nearby gardens have changed their habits. But I guess birds are a little more mobile than the few gardens that I can see. I guess I'll never know for sure, but was interested to hear that others had experienced the same thing. And the guy who gets through 25KG per week! What you feeding.... Ostrich? grin Baz |
No action on my bird feeders
Peter Crosland wrote in message ... I'm in Clackmannanshire (between Stirlingshire and Fife) and I've had loads of action at the bird feeder this winter, including robins, blackbirds, collared doves, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, chaffinches, a wren, a pied wagtail, greenfinches and goldfinches. The one bird I haven't had interested was starlings. They and the rooks just make noise from on top of the TV aerials. Sharon Here in South Somerset I have had all the above plus wood pigeon, cock pheasant, greater spotted woodpecker, thrushes, long tailed tits and greenfinches. All but the pheasant have been daily visitors. I am spending small fortune feeding them! I've had most of the above, and have had siskins for the last few days, wondered why I had a sudden influx, then realised they weren't the normal sort of bird, so out with the binoculars and lo and behold! A couple of the more unusual visitors have been Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, suspect that they think I'm gathering the birds for them. No woodpeckers, and no long tailed tits, but pheasants have been regular visitors. Mike www.british-naturism.org.uk |
No action on my bird feeders
Barry Watts wrote:
Hmmmm.... Alternative abundant food supplies.... I guess its possible. Likely even. But can't say that any nearby gardens have changed their habits. But I guess birds are a little more mobile than the few gardens that I can see. I guess I'll never know for sure, but was interested to hear that others had experienced the same thing. And the guy who gets through 25KG per week! What you feeding.... Ostrich? grin Sorry. Did I say per week? 25Kg per month is the reality. And although there is an ostrich farm not that far away, the biggest birds in the garden are pheasant, moor hen and collared doves. ;-) Sorry about that. -- ned |
No action on my bird feeders
Here in Southern Ireland we have noticed a decline in the bird population
also. Having said that we have a wonderful family of tits that seem to be thriving, last year we had only four at our feeder, this year we have eight :) We also have two robins, and have seen both of them at the feeder, we only saw one last year. We were under the impression that robins 1. didn't come out in pairs and 2. didn't feed from high feeders. Boy were we wrong :) To mail me direct please reply to: shannie(AT)utvinternet.ie (replace the "at" with the usual symbol.) "ned" wrote in message ... Barry Watts wrote: Hmmmm.... Alternative abundant food supplies.... I guess its possible. Likely even. But can't say that any nearby gardens have changed their habits. But I guess birds are a little more mobile than the few gardens that I can see. I guess I'll never know for sure, but was interested to hear that others had experienced the same thing. And the guy who gets through 25KG per week! What you feeding.... Ostrich? grin Sorry. Did I say per week? 25Kg per month is the reality. And although there is an ostrich farm not that far away, the biggest birds in the garden are pheasant, moor hen and collared doves. ;-) Sorry about that. -- ned |
No action on my bird feeders
On Fri, 14 Mar 2003 at 02:00:35 shannie wrote:
Here in Southern Ireland we have noticed a decline in the bird population also. Having said that we have a wonderful family of tits that seem to be thriving, last year we had only four at our feeder, this year we have eight :) We also have two robins, and have seen both of them at the feeder, we only saw one last year. We were under the impression that robins 1. didn't come out in pairs and 2. didn't feed from high feeders. Boy were we wrong :) Robins are usually territorial and only pair during the breeding season. They do use the bird table and hanging feeders in my garden. -- Joe Farrugia, London |
No action on my bird feeders
my parents experienced the same thing at their house, after years of bird
feeding, suddenly no birds... then they discovered they did have one bird... a great big hawk. The song birds found safer feeders until the hawk moved on. Here, at our house, we have several resident red tail hawks, they surf the feeders in the morning, looking and sometimes finding a hapless victim, but usually they move on to the meadow for the field mice and the birds come right back. |
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