Best position for bird feeder (1 Viewer)

[MrsWatermelon]

I have recently moved house and bought my bird feeder along to the new garden. I used to have dozens of visitors a day but so far nothing at all has been eaten from the feeder in this place.

I think it may be partially due to the positioning of the bird feeder. Because there are many cats in the area I don't like to place it near the fences or trees where a cat could lurk and pounce, but this inevitably means the feeder will be in an open spot where the birds feel vulnerable from aerial predators.

Is there anything I can do to make the birds feel more secure, that doesn't put them in greater danger from cats?

 

[JoeRawles]

I would still think hanging it from a tree would be the best choice but if possible somewhere such that when the seeds drop and the ground feeders are underneath there is not a bush for lurking cats within leaping distance. A specific requirement I know! Otherwise you're best off getting a feeding station and locating it somewhere near cover so the birds can escape to safety from aerial predators but not too close again to low cover for cats.

Also, how long have the feeders been up? This winter has been much quieter and with the recent spell of drier, brighter weather (down south anyway!) the feeders have been much quieter so they might just need to take time to adjust.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to BF!

It takes time for birds to get used to a new feeder, and if the previous owners of the house didn't feed the birds, they may not realise there is a new restaurant in town.

If the feeder is high up - hanging from a tree or bracket or pole - then it is unlikely that cats will be able to pounce on the birds. There are a few cats round here, and I hang all my feeders from a large tree.