That moment when you put up bird feeders in your garden is an exciting one. You will be anticipating the arrival of a host of feathered friends you can watch from your Outback reclining chairs – but then, nothing happens.
Here are some common reasons why your feeders might not be attracting birds.
They are in the wrong spot
Many people buy bird feeders and then plonk them right in the centre of their garden. This might seem as if it makes sense from a watching point of view, but it is not ideal for the birds themselves.
Exposed areas put them at risk from predators. You will have more success if you place the feeders near trees, hedges or shrubs.
They are not being kept clean
You cannot leave food in the bird feeders indefinitely, just in case they show up. The food needs to be changed – and the feeders cleaned thoroughly – on a regular basis.
Feeders that have become dirty can give diseases to birds. Put a fairly small amount of food in until you start to see more birds arriving.
The food is the wrong type
Each of the different garden bird species has its own preferences when it comes to food. For example, mealworms are a popular food among robins. The best thing you can do is to mix it up with a variety of bird food choices.
If you follow these three pointers and give it some time, birds will eventually start to flock!
