Re: Hello !!

Hi everyone.  I am a total newbie to this hobby, encouraged by watching Springwatch for the first time this year. I bought a couple of beginners' bird identification books, a variety of feeders and food, dug out my dad's old binoculars, and here I am, joining in on a forum and using my kitchen window as a hide.

I live in East Lancs in the Ribble Valley. My garden is bounded by other similar gardens on two sides with agricultural fields on the other. So far I have managed to attract a large colony of 30 to 40 house sparrows (I believe they are mostly this years babies), a collection of starlings - not many, 3 pairs of gorgeous jackdaws, a few blackbirds, a robin, a wren, some dunnocks, a pair of collared doves, several feral pigeons and an intermittent sparrowhawk. I had a wood pigeon but not seen since August.

What I can't attract are the tits and finches. However, my neighbour has several goldfinches, blue tits and great tits on his feeders, but no sparrows! I confess to watching his birds through my binoculars out of a bedroom window. (I have my fingers crossed I won't get arrested for this!!!!) I have 3 separate feeding areas. One is a table for the larger birds, one is intended for the sparrows, and the other for the tits and finches. Each area has suitable food and feeders for the different species. So far there are no takers for the tit and finch area, apart from the sparrows in the queue for their own area.

Are my sparrows seeing off these other species? I know they are little thugs at times, and even my robin has to wait for them to have their afternoon siesta before he is allowed to eat.

Hello Sparrow.

Firstly a very warm welcome to the forum.  I'm delighted you've developed an interest in bird watching.  I first became interested about two years ago, and its one of the best hobbies you can have.  Everyday is a chance to learn something new and since I started watching birds from my kitchen, living room, and bedroom window, Ive seen species that I'd never seen before such as goldfinch and great spotted woodpecker.  No matter what flies into your garden its always a joy to see them.

Paul

Hi,

can you see what your neighbour is feeding the birds that is so enticing? Is it different to what you have put out?

:))

S

Welcome Sparrow! It could just be that the tits & finches are so used to going next door for their food that they haven't bothered to look further afield! I'm sure that they'll eventually notice this alternative supply and make the most of it! (Especially if the nieghbours go away and the feeders aren't refilled as regularly!) Don't think sparrows would put them off however boisterous! Very often, the sparrows lead the way being a little bolder than other species! Then the others slowly follow! Keep up the good work with feeding and most of all, enjoy!!

I can't identify what my neighbour is feeding the birds, but he can't have any more of a variety than I do. I have a good quality mixed seed, sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, nijer seed, peanuts, dried meal worms (soaked), and my own fat and seed mix in half coconuts. I have 2 bird baths. My feeders are in 3 different places and are of various designs. I have been feeding this way since Spring. I bring the feeders in at night if rain is forecast, replace the food before it goes soggy, and clean out the feeders at least once a week.

My neighbour's feeders were put up a couple of weeks ago. He didn't feed during the summer, which is what is annoying me!! I am happy the birds are being fed, but can't help wishing they would eat my food!!!

I intend to keep up the good work, and enjoy the antics of the birds I do have. My sparrows and starlings are hilarious, and my jackdaws are beautiful - and so gentle. I am also in the throes of buying a new feeding station, and hopefully the coloured song birds will find it.

Thanks everyone for your welcome and suggestions.

Linda

Sparrow

My neighbour's feeders were put up a couple of weeks ago.

Ah! That changes things although doesn't explain why they are going there... Is their side more sheltered or more open? Can't think of much else really! I am sure though that they will eventually make their way to you!

I hope so!

Hi Sparrow - welcome to the forum - I like the way you describe your Jackdaws - so many people have a moan at them especially in the countryside - I find them so entertaining and some mornings at daylight they sit on the chimney and chatter which comes straight down into my bedroom and gives me a gentle wake up call!

Hello Lucybob,

Thanks for the welcome!

I' m so glad there is someone else who likes jackdaws! I love them. Not only are they majestic and handsome, but they are gentle with the smaller birds. They don't try to frighten them and show no aggression at all, unless two pairs try to feed at the same time and then there can be a minor squabble between the pairs. They like my mesh feeder tray, but there is only room for one of them at once. One of them waits patiently on the fence until his mate has finished, then they swap over. When they are both full they fly off together to the roof top.

Do you have metal containers to put the fatballs in?  I do and tey regularly hang on for dear life whilst breaking one up - normally the other jackdaw stands underneath catching the titbits.

Hi Lucybob,

That sounds great to watch! Aren't they just brilliant birds!

I don't use fat balls normally, although I do have some fat ball containers. I tend to make my own lard and seed mix and pour it into half coconut shells as this is cheaper. One of these hangs next to the mesh tray the jackdaws prefer to use, so they  lean over and peck at it. Between the jackdaws and the very few starlings I have, the half coconuts are cleared of all fat and seed within 2 days! The sparrows and smaller birds don't bother much with it, so I give them suet treats from a packet and mix them in with their seed.

Buzzard gave me a good tip the other day. He makes his own beef lard/seed mix and pours it into empty yoghurt containers, or smothers it on pine cones which he then hangs from branches. I am going to give that a try tomorrow.

Hi Sparrow - I have been using half coconuts shells for seed just to give the birds extra occupation so will have ago and feeling them with a homemade mixture.   We have had a minor disaster this week my friendly mouse has got into the fatball container in the potting shed and I presume he invited his mates round because they've all gone - my fault did't put the lid on properly!    We also have a scotts pine in the garden dropping cones everywhere so I might have ago at Buzzard's idea and make bunches of lardy cones.  Thanks for the ideas. 

Hi Lucybob,

I had a similar problem with a whole box full of fat balls my hubby bought me as a surprise. (He isn't a bird enthusiast, but thought it would make me happy!). I left them in the shed. Dumbo. I forgot about the mice who nest in there. They broke into the box and left a terrible mess of crunched up and crumbled fat. Not one ball survived intact! I expect the mice didn't feel too well after that either!

Hi Sparrow, I don't think the Sparrows are puttnig the other birds off. It just takes time.  The have to expend so much energy flying to food resources that they will go where they know there is plentiful supplies. And whilst you're only over a fence its not yet known to them.  They will come in.

I know when we return home after being away and the feeders have not been refilled, it does  usually takes a few days for them to return to our feeders once they are filled, It's simply because they have found other suppliers in the meantime. Sparrows are usually first at our feeders whilst tits and finches wait patiently in the background

Sorry never read your posts properly, I thought it was yourself that only started feeding a couple of weeks ago. 

Doh,should've gone to specsavers