Grass advice

If you weed and feed it before re-seeding it will get a gallop on and you won't be able to mow it while the new seed is establishing. I'd mow it then re-seed and leave the feeding until later. Don't feed the new grass if you can avoid it as it will outgrow it's strength.

 

It's looking good FC,what a difference already

 

Weed and Feed (or any selective herbicide) can persist, and grass seedlings may succumb, so best not to use shortly before, or for several months after (I think?) seeding.

Sand won't stop the birds. Can you put down something prickly - Holly leaves? twigs, cotton - tight between some sticks - netting (something you normally throw over Veg plants, for example).

Holly leaves will just mow-up in the future Although their prickly spines will then be a nuisance in any resulting compost you make.

 

If your soil is clay then use sand, if it's sandy use mpc. I put down extra because of the birds and then cover it with mpc and firm it down, it tends to keep the birds guessing.

I've used weed and feed a month before re-seeding with no problems but wouldn't use it after on the parts that are re-seeded. Any new lawn that I've seeded in the past I haven't fed in the first year as it will make the grass outgrow it's strength. It needs to grow at it's own pace and fill out in the process.