Tempting the right Birds into the garden....

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Have had a variety of garden feeders out for years and nver really see anything spectacular.

Of late, Im spending a fortune to feed:
Pigeons
Squirrels
Rooks

The little Robin and Dunnock are allowed to have what they leave and the Blackies scrounge around.

I have a squirrel proof feeder with RSPB Feeder mix , broken up fatballs.

I have a ground cage that stops the bigger birds getting to the food but doesnt stop the squirrells, and I feed RSPB tale mix here.

I also sprinkle handfulls around under bushes and in different spots, but I swear the Pigeons take notes....

We have a large ish hedgerow to the back of us so are reasonably secluded, but I see harldy any sparrows at all, very very occasional Goldie and thats about it.
Also have a wildlife pond so drinking and bathing opportunities are here.

Any help or advice appreciated to get more birds and a wider variety into the garden.....

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Thanks guys, I'll try to answer the above.....

JV6
SMallish garden thats had feeders in for years, all planted for birds and bees above all else. Reasonable cover coming into the garden and nice buddleia that they use to scope it all out.

Boosted
I used the Wilko slabs all winter, but then the Rooks discovered them - one a day they ate until I stopped feeding them

MC
Plan to add more feeders where I can protect them from the tree rats

Mono
I love all the birds, and enjoy seeing new faces. One thing we seem to not have at all is Sparrows. I had a Blackcap for a day or two and he left.

The pond has been in place for about 6 years and is as natural as it can be. The birds do love to use it for bathing and drinking as well.

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Japveesix said:

I bought a window feeder yesterday, stuck it in the lounge window today and our robins and sparrows started using it in less than 5 minutes. Suet pellets and mealworms and it's great because now I can sit on my laptop and not even bother to look out into the garden, I can just listen for the banging as they hit the feeder and glance up vaguely every now and then. Lazy sod bird watching.

Yep, we had one.
Batsard tree rats jumped onto the windowsill and pulled it to the floor.....

[Turn7]

Just to update this....

Having one of the best years Ive seen for birds in the garden.

Feeding Sunflower hearts, 75mm Suet logs and mixed ground feeds.

Just this morning, and these are all now regulars....

4 x Goldfinches
1 x Chaffinch
3 x Blackbird, one with a dickie davies white cap
3 x Woodpigeon
2 x Collared Dove
2 x Dunnock
3 x Robin
1 x Wren....altho not very often seen
6528 x Starlings, ALWAYS as at the same time
4 x Squirrels
? x Bluetits...to quick to differentiate between them
2 x Great Tits
1 x Coal Tit
1 x Hedge Sparrow

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mickyh7 said:

Turn7 said:

Just to update this....

Having one of the best years Ive seen for birds in the garden.

Feeding Sunflower hearts, 75mm Suet logs and mixed ground feeds.

Just this morning, and these are all now regulars....

4 x Goldfinches
1 x Chaffinch
3 x Blackbird, one with a dickie davies white cap
3 x Woodpigeon
2 x Collared Dove
2 x Dunnock
3 x Robin
1 x Wren....altho not very often seen
6528 x Starlings, ALWAYS as at the same time
4 x Squirrels
? x Bluetits...to quick to differentiate between them
2 x Great Tits
1 x Coal Tit
1 x Hedge Sparrow

Sorry, but you do know that a Hedge Sparrow is a Dunnock dont you?
Still, nice to have all in your Garden!
We are similar to you, but we have Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. Very aggressive, they chase everything off when they feed!
Always bring their young to feed when they fledge, so often have 7 of them at once!

My mistake, always get confused with the small brown birds, it was a House Sparrow...

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We had a Blackcap for a few visits in the Summer, but thats all.

Same with Long Tails - had a flock of 5 for a couple of visits last Winter and seen them since...

I do enjoy just watching them, the Starlings are funny, like a gang of pissed up teens.....

The Goldies dont care whats going around them, they get on the feeder and dont leave till theyve had their fill.....

Squirrels I could almost handfeed I reckon, they dont leave the garden when we go out the back door to the bin....