I recently hung a super clean plastic suet ball feeder from my washing line, but the birds aren't showing any interest. I've weighted the bottom to reduce swinging, but still no luck. The feeder is so far from my back door that I need to take a taxi to get to my garden, meaning I can't even see what's going on from my windows. I don't have any trees nearby to hang it in, and there are a ton of seagulls in my area. Could these be factors in keeping the birds away? I've noticed no obvious predators aside from a few dogs and an occasional cat. I've also set up an old, clean roasting tray on a nearby table to put out chopped nuts, raisins, and apple slices. There are some low hedges and a 4-foot japonica shrub nearby that should provide some cover, but I might not be around when the rowan and silver birch I planted get big enough to help. Any tips on attracting birds or creating nesting spaces for next year?
2 Answers
Definitely, seagulls can be a big deterrent for smaller birds. They tend to scare them away. You might want to try feeding them at a different spot that's better hidden or closer to shelter. Also, make sure your feeder isn't too exposed; birds love having nearby cover!
It might take some time for the birds to discover your feeder, especially if it's only been up for a week. When I first put mine up, it took about a week before they started visiting. Also, if your feeder is in a very open space, birds often prefer nearby cover like trees or bushes where they can feel safe from predators. If you can find a way to create or hang your feeder closer to a bush, that might help!
That makes sense! It sounds like they might need a bit of time to get comfy. I’ll see if I can find something to hang it closer to the bushes.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll look for a safer spot for the feeder where the birds can feel less exposed.