This year when we hung the bird feeder out, I moved it to the front yard where I can watch it from my nice warm recliner when the snow and wind is howling. Well the stupit birds still haven't found it after 2 weeks. And it is full of black oil sunflower seeds too! Their favorite. At this rate that 50 lb bag is going to last all winter and then some. I did have a squirrel checking it out, but since it is a squirrel proof feeder, he lost out too!
How close to the front window is it? If you keep the curtains open and there is much movement inside the house it will scare the birds and they won't feed there. I have a birdbath not too far from my front window but I have an almost 5 foot tall potted Mexican Petunia between it and the house so my movements inside don't affect them.
It's about 15 to 20 ft. from the window. I have had then closer and it didn't bother them. I think it's just that they have so much natural feed around they haven't started looking at other places yet.
They'll find it once they need it. We feed the birds some 7 feet from the window. They don't mind at all.
'My' birds aren't visiting the feeders very much at the moment either despite the frosts we've been having. As you say they seem to have so much natural food at the moment that they're ignoring our feeders. No doubt they'll be flocking to them again soon.
I guess birds in fall season have lots of seeds and bugs to eat. They don't even bother my berries in fall but I have to put net for protection during summer.
The chickadees finally found it today. I saw one out there earlier and now there are a bunch. It's like a 3 ring circus out there! I used to feed mixed seed, but they would throw the seed out, just to get to the sunflower seeds. So now I only feed sunflower seed.
Great news that they found the feeder. We built a pergola to attract the birds in our backyard. I watch the birds in the front yard, playing in my flower beds. They sure like the purple coneflower heads...Sherry8
Glad that the recliner will have enjoyable days of bird watching. They are a hoot to watch. They catch my attention at odd times when I am outside.
I didn't have any birds at my feeder until the snow came. Now, there are all kinds of birds out there!
Birds will leave feeders alone while their wild or natural food is in abundance. Then when it isn't back to the feeders. It can take a while for them to use a new feeder. Be sure there is some natural cover nearby. A tree or bush. (about 15 feet away) They'll feel safer when theres cover from predators they can get to. I have feeders in a tree about 10 feet away from my picnic table. We sit out there, weather permitting, and the birds don't mind at all. Once they decide you arent a threat they dont care about the movement. Now that the chickadees have found it others will see them and follow.
Stupit birds I have my bird feeders outside my kitchen window. The birdies are loving their free food and I'm certainly glad to oblige. Do you feed thistle seed too,or just the sunflower seed? Kratz7
