Feeding the Birds - Advice from Bill

Different Birds, Different Tastes

Anyone who regularly feeds and watches garden birds will be aware that different species have different feeding habits. This is most obvious when you notice which birds come to hanging feeders and which do not. Tits and finches will dangle just about anywhere, whilst Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens and Dunnocks (Hedge Sparrows) much prefer to feed on the ground, or along the tops of low walls. It is important therefore that you put out food at various levels, and in different positions. The ground feeding species generally prefer to feed close to low cover, so the edge of the lawn or flower bed is often the best place to either scatter seed, or put out a bowl.

You may also notice that certain species have preferences for various types of food. To be honest, I think conducting your own experiments is the best way to find out who likes what. Buy some of the smallest bags of a variety of foods, and try them out. It is very satisfying to develop your own garden menu, based on customer demand!

Having said that, there will always be individual birds that break the rules or species that learn new tricks. I recently watched a Blackbird attempting to hover under a coco fat peanut feeder (it didn't really get much, but it looked as if it enjoyed trying) whilst Long Tailed Tits - long reputed never to visit garden feeders - look as if they are beginning to change their ways.

Be Patient

You may be disappointed that the birds don't instantly come to a new feeder. Don't be impatient. Always leave a feeder in position for at least a week. It is surprising how slow birds sometimes are to accept - or maybe even notice - a new source of food. However, if, after a week, they still haven't taken to it, try a different position. If it still doesn't work, there may be some other reason the birds aren't coming. Could there be a cat constantly lurking nearby? I'd better not advise you how to get rid of that!