NEW FEEDER, NO BIRDS ?
What's up with this? You buy a new feeder and fill with seed, but sat for weeks and NO BIRDS !
That's is why we call them "wild birds". They do not do what we want them to do. It is quite normal for birds to take a couple of days or weeks to find your feeder. If it is the first feeder in your neighborhood it will take longer to find. If you put a new feeder within two feet of an existing feeder, you will see birds on the the new feeder in minutes. Your situation is probably between the two. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the time it takes for a new feeder to b found.
- VISIBILITY of the Feeder. Make sure the feeder is visible by putting it out in the open, on a pole or hang from a tree. 2. LOCATION of the Feeder. Place where birds are hanging out. 3. VISIBILITY of the Seed. Sometimes you have to offer on a tray first; then they will find your tube or hopper feeder. 4. SLOWLY MOVE THE FEEDER closer to your home. The birds will soon come to your feeders even if they normally hand out farther away. 5. LARGER AREA FOR BIRDS TO STAND. If you have a tube feeder, add a tray underneath. Or add a small branch onto existing perches, birds will be more comfortable at first.
Start planting. Add native bushes and trees to your yard. Wild Bird Connection sells books that reference the best plants and trees to plant in our region.
SEASONALLY LOW ACTIVITY. Every region has times of the year when activity at the feeders is slow. It usually happens at the same time each year. 1. DOUBLE UP. Pay attention to which birds are still coming, and double up on feeders offering the foods they are eating. If woodpeckers are coming in, offer more suet feeders. 2. EXPERIMENT WITH NEW FOODS ON A TRAY. This is a good time to offer a small amount of many different foods. You will see more migratory bird if they have offerings of food choices.
NO GOLDFINCHES AT FEEDERS ?
Goldfinches are flocking birds that move from area to area. Even if you see Goldfinches at your feeder every day, you may not be seeing the same individuals; one flock spends time at your feeders, and after it departs. another entirely different flock shows up. In fact 75-100 different goldfinches could show up in a day. Sometimes weeks go by without seeing any goldfinches. Any goldfinches that do arrive, will probably turn up their beaks at your seed because it is not fresh. They are picky eaters and like their seeds fresh. Never buy to much nyjer seed at a time, goldfinches like to open the tiny shells and if the seeds are dried up they will move on. We recommend a blend of nyjer and fine sunflower hearts that we sell at Wild Bird Connection called Thistle and Chips. Also, make sure you clean your feeders every month with a 10% bleach solution to kill all mold. THE MALE GOLDFINCH will have bright yellow feathers the the spring and summer, but more of a brown color in the fall and winter. Look for the white stripe on their wings.
