Why are my bird feeders not used?

The boxes have been up for about 3 years now jean but I am not worried they will nest in them when they are ready the beauty of it is you never know what bird will take up residence I had a blacbird once 4 years ago nesting just inside of my shed door and they all fledged even though I was still using the shed I put s****s in the coconut in the very cold weather and it doesnt seem to put the birds off good luck with your feathered friends

 

I have had proper nest boxes in my garden for years and years and they have never been nested in.
I put them away from the house in the right direction as advised by the people that no.
What happend a Wren nested last year in an old ornimental house I had put in the clematis outside the back door.
I was in and out the door all day.
My Grandchildren played underneath it and she flew over them feeding the babies.
I stood the other side of the kitchen window watching her feed them, less than 3 feet away she never bothered.
It had only been there a few months. :D

You can never tell with birds.
Same with feeders.
Some they love and feed from all the time, others they never go near. :confused:

[ 27. February 2008, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Lyn ]

 

I have all sorts of bird feeders hanging in the apple tree... but they are on long lenghs of wire to deter Cyril the squirrel from raiding them. He can't get hold of the wire to pull it up.. he is very clever I have to say!!!! I also have a feeding table on the grass and I get lots of different birds feeding from it.. including the local pheasants who I am sure tell everyone about me.. and they all turn up for a good feed.

 

Hi Compost Maker

We have one of those feeding stations in the open by our pond. We used to have the feeders in the tree, but the tree got too big and we had it cut down. The birds moved to the new feeding station straight away - we were really lucky.

HOWEVER - When we first put the feeders up, although the birds were in the tree, they ignored the feeders totally!!! We were putting mixed seed and peanuts out, and had to throw them away as they were rotting in the feeders - or sprouting!! We changed to sunflower seeds, and straight away, the birds would literally que up along the branches for their turn at the feeder. I then got fed up with seed cases smothering the lawn under the feeders, so we changed to sunflower hearts. We sometimes have to top up the feeders 3 times a week, and get birds all year round!!! We have put out mixed seed, peanuts and Niger seed on occasion, but the birds haven't touched it at all!!

So, you could well have spoilt fussy birds like ours who only like sunflower hearts!!!! And the best place to buy them is Wilkinsons (if you have one in your area)

Hope this helps!!

HB

 

Im off in the morning and I will keep you posted on whether northern birds are fussy eaters.