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Garden Birds.
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I’ve set up a few feeders with peanuts in the garden to attract all kinds of birds but currently I’m only getting Sparrows, Starlings :evil: and the odd Robin. I intend putting up a bird table with some fat balls and wild seed to attract more, I’m just wondering is there anything else I can do.
Thanks, Dave.
Place in an area with good light and in a position you can easily focus on without to much moving about. A Niger seed feeder may help attract goldfinches. I purchase chopped groundnuts which I find better than full nuts as the birds tend to stay longer to feed, with full peanuts they take a nut and fly away not giving as much time to take your shot. Hope this helps.
regards Wee Man
Hi Dave.
There are still lots of berries etc still available on the trees, so the birds will continue to go to areas that are familiar to them. As the weather gets colder and the food becomes scarce, all types of birds will begin to frequent the feeders, so be patient. Also, some birds are ground feeders and will wait for the items to fall from the other birds on the feeders, but beware of cats. Different feeders will attract different birds, as will different food types.
When I was living in Tipperary I only had a concrete yard (no plants of any kind) and after a while of using feeders, there were a large variety of birds visiting.Oh yeah, they used to enjoy Niger seeds, Sunflower seeds & small bits of bacon rind the most. :)
Thanks for the replies lads, be patient so is what your saying Miki :( . I’ll get it setup over the next few weeks and by then the weather should have got colder, I’ve ways of dealing with any cats Miki :D .
Weeman I’ve set up a perch about 8ft away from a window, the glass has been cleaned and the camera is in position so all I need to do now is wait.
Dave.
Dave what are you shooting with? I you have a Wifi link set up your tripod outside and use your phone or tablet if possible. I use my OMD EM1 this way and it let’s me get great close up shots.
As with all nature photography, patience is the key, they will come just give them time, apples are good for the blackbirds and thrushes too! If you have a problem with rooks and magpies I find if I throw out some bread they demolish that then leave.
Look forward to seeing your results!Thanks for the all the advice, it’s a great help. :D Weeman, I’m currently using a wired remote which is slowly falling apart so I will be getting a wireless remote in the near future.
Jenny, at the moment my biggest problem is the starlings, they’re devouring the peanuts :evil: . My current plan is to put wire mesh around the feeder to keep them out but leave enough room for the smaller birds to feed. Some nice tips there though, what do you do with your apples, do you hang them up?
Dave.
Put them onto branch ends, just spear them, and also cut them up
for the flat table, the smaller birds will go for the ones on the branches
and the blackbirds will usually go on the bird table.Still a work in progress but this is the first decent shot I’ve got from this winter, I need to adjust the branch so you don’t see the post. I’ve now wild seeds and peanuts in feeders, I’m planning on putting up a small bird table at the weekend so hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll get some good shots. I’ve noticed it’s after getting a lot busier over the last few days.
The image looks a bit soft which I hope isn’t as a result of shooting through double glazing, if that’s the reason all my work shall be in vain. :(
Dave.
Looking good Dave, all my garden bird shots are taken through
glass so it is possible, keeping the glass clean is more of a problem
as I HATE cleaning windows! Lots of activity as you say, the cold
spell will bring them flocking to the feeders.Look forward to seeing more!
The background colour looks good, fence?
Yes Jenny, you can beat a nice fence as a background. :D That’s great about the glass, I was worried there for a second.
Dave.
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