If you’ve set up a new bird feeder in your garden but aren’t getting any feathered visitors, you may be wondering where you’ve gone wrong. This is a common issue amongst bird enthusiasts and can be particularly frustrating if you have spent time and effort creating a bird-friendly safe space in your garden.
This blog will go over some of the possible reasons why your bird feeder isn’t getting any visitors and provide you with some tips and tricks so that you can have the most popular bird feeders in town!
Food
One reason why birds might not be visiting your feeders is because the food you are offering is poor quality or not fresh. By replacing the food with fresh, high-quality seed that is tailored to the preferences of the birds in your area, you should start to see more birds visiting your garden for their daily snack!
Location
Your feeder could also be in the wrong location. Birds prefer to feed where they feel safe, which is usually a space with cover that they can dart into if a predator appears. The best places to put bird feeders are quiet areas, surrounded by trees or shrubs that the birds can perch on and use for cover.
Cleanliness
Birds tend to stay clear from dirty feeders, which is good news as dirty feeders are known to spread nasty avian diseases. To keep your feathered friends coming back to your garden, ensure you clean your bird feeders regularly to keep them free of mould and bacteria growth that can be harmful to your local birds.
Height
Bird feeders need to be placed where birds feel comfortable. Of course, there is no such thing as a bird feeder being placed too high for birds; however, if the feeder is too high for you to clean it regularly and remove old food, this will be an issue.
Bird feeders can also be hung too low. Hanging your bird feeders within reach of predators like cats and squirrels can be a huge deterrent for your local birds. The best solution to this issue is to provide your garden birds with multiple feeders at various heights, and if using ground feeding trays, invest in a ground feeder guardian to keep little birds safe.
Predators
Birds may be avoiding your feeders as they can sense there are predators nearby. As already mentioned, the best thing you can do for your garden birds in this situation is place your feeders near shelter and high enough that predators like cats can’t get to them. You can also purchase bird feeder guardians in different shapes and sizes or squirrel proof feeders if pesky squirrels are scaring your local birds away.
Season
Seasonal changes can also affect bird activity. For example, migratory birds may appear ( or disappear!) for the winter so their presence at your feeders may vary. Autumn brings a more bountiful natural food supply, with berries and fruits festooning hedgerows so wild birds are less likely to be relying on garden feeders in the Autumn months.
Competition
The lack of birds visiting your feeders may simply be because there are more attractive bird feeding areas nearby. If you see that your neighbours feeders are getting more action, take note on what feeders and food they are using and try them out in your own garden!
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Patience is key when it comes to feeding birds. If your feeder is new or has changed location, it can take a while for birds to build up the courage to feed there again. If you are still having no luck, try changing up the feed you offer or perhaps move the feeder around until you find the perfect spot!
If you’re looking for high-quality bird seed and feeders, you’re in the right place! Here at Really Wild Bird Food, we stock a huge variety of home-grown seed and top-brand feeders, so you’re sure to find something in our collection that your local birds will love!
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