Attracting Birds To A New Feeder

What's the best way to attract birds to a new feeder? There isn't a perfect answer for this question, but it's one we get a lot! There are times when you put up a new bird feeder and birds come to it within minutes. And, other times it can take months for the birds to come. You may notice the birds fly by a feeder and stop in mid-air as if to say "whoa, new feeder alert, turn back!" 

The same circumstances apply when you switch to a different food product such as going from Black Oil Sunflower seeds to No Mess Blend or from a Nuts and Berries Suet Cake to Hot Pepper Suet. The foods look different and birds may be hesitant to try them at first.

Give the birds time to find the feeder or new food and get used to its presence in your yard. Make sure the birds can see the feeder, as they find their food by sight. Try putting some seed on the ground or near the feeder. Above all, be patient!

Birds establish their winter feeding territories in the fall. So if you are going to be adding to your feeding station for the winter, it's a good time to do it now.  Although your birds may not be needing it quite yet, they will know where to find it when they are searching for supplemental food sources.