My garden problem is the plethora of cats in the locale.
It wasn't so bad when we had our dog as he hated them nearly as much as I and kept the garden a relatively cat free zone.
It was odd to note that the birds could differentiate between the dog and the cats remaining on feeders, etc. when the dog was in the garden. Sadly, he's gone as are the birds - if you are into cat watching, however......

I'm also lucky enough to have the very occasional Sparrowhawk patrol through (or was)

A dog isn't just for Christmas, it's for scaring the bejesus out of the spawn of the devil (aka Felis catus)

Thanks for your response David. I will bear in mind what you suggested about positioning the feeder perhaps nearer the trees or bushes. Having said that, I decided to put the pole in mid-lawn so that it is beyond a decent leap (off trees, bushes, or sheds) by the local squirrel & cat population.

Thanks again.

Hi Lawson,

Your garden seems simlar to mine with plenty of bushes and fruit trees. I had similar problems at first not seeming to attract as many birds as I thought I would. I moved my feeders and bird table to different places until I realised the birds seemed happier when they were nearer to the bushes. Some of the birds were feeding in the bushes anyway, and there was also protection from predators.

I live in a reasonably well built up area of North Manchester. Having said that, I am lucky enough to have a large back garden, with three very tall mature trees; several bushes & smaller trees (including apple & pear) & a decent sized lawn. Perfect you would think for a reasonable range of garden birds. However, recently, the birds coming to the feeders (positioned on a rose arch) have all but dried up - the odd robin, blackbird & dunnock apart. To try & improve the situation I bought a feeding pole & set it up (mid-lawn) on Saturday (three feeders - two with mixed seed & one with nijer seed). There was initial interest from three types of tit, robins & a small flock of long tailed tits. Today, admittedly in very wet condition, not even a robin showed interest in the feeders. So, just bad luck (we are talking wild birds when all said & done) or could there be a sparrowhawk in the area keeping the birds from the feeders?

I have a similar set up in my comunal garden but my feeders are next to my patio (not ideal). The other Saturday I spent three hours watching the feeder and surrounding area and saw 2 Blackbirds and one Robin. That was it!

Last Saturday I spent just 15 minutes watching and had Goldcrest (1), Dunnock (2), Great Tit (1), Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (5), Robin (1), LT Tit (flock of 20), Woodpigeon (2), House Sparrow (6+).

I also have a Sparrowhawk which visits - and feeds - regularly. Maybe the other Saturday it was hnging around, but maybe it's just that time of the year when things are generally a bit quiet.

-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Monday 26th of November 2012 06:26:13 PM