DennisK Loc: Pickle City,Illinois

For all you backyard birders on here....When you first set up your bird feeder, how did you get the birds to notice it? Had mine up about a week and no action. Set it outside kitchen window about 10' away.

AUminer Loc: Brandon, Ms

I threw seeds around on the ground in a wide circle. The birds started coming to that feed and then moved up to the feeder.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I feed mine all year so they all know where the kitchen is.
And it never closes. hehehee

Just be patient, they will find it.

DennisK Loc: Pickle City,Illinois

I did that,but so far it has been real windy here.Maybe that's it?

Zaurak32 Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

I would try moving the feeder farther from the house, especially if it is near a window. When they start coming to your feeder, maybe move it in closer a foot at a time, but try not to line it up directly with a window. They will see you through it.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

They will also see their own reflections in the window and may be frightened away.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi Dennisk: My wife hung her bird feeded under the eves of our house, just outside the sliding glass door off the patio. So it sits about ten feet from the sliding glass door. When she remembers to fill the feeder it usually takes about a week for the birds to discover it's been filled. and about two days for them to empty it. Once it's filled again they come back.

jth5986 Loc: Stafford, VA

Here are a couple of things I've learned over the years.
Proximity to windows shouldn't matter. On one side of the house, I've got four feeders, including a suet and hummingbird feeder, within 10' of a large plate glass door. Birds take no notice, and a female cardinal will (without any harm), perch on a chair and throw herself at her own reflection to try to drive "her" off.
What you put in the feeder matters. Junk generic bird food with lots of millet is just that. Best--straight sunflower chips with no shells. Also, black oil sunflower seeds, but get used to lots of hulls on the ground. Safflower seed is good.
Birds love water. A largish bird bath--preferably up off the ground--is good. Moving water--a mister, dripper, or bubbler, will be an absolute magnet.
Outdoor pets--esp. a cat--will keep any bird away.
Once they find it, they'll gradually bring others in. Find a chair 10-15' away, and sit quietly. They'll get used to you quickly.

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

I've had zero luck photographing red-headed woodpeckers...very skittish. Friend I suggested I spread crunchy peanut butter on a tree. I did this on a tree outside BR window...will take a few days for them to find it, but it seems like a good idea. Will keep all advised.

Jhouse341 Loc: Indianapolis In

I myself hang my feeders in trees in my yard about 12 feet from ground and in sight of my windows n back door to view n get good shots without being to close by using my Sigma 150x500 on my Nikon D7000.

DennisK Loc: Pickle City,Illinois

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

aancajas Loc: Stevenson Ranch, CA

Exactly what I did and they are always there. Others wait by the branches until its their turn.

Ann B Loc: Northeast Indiana

We've got loads of bird feeders & suet blocks -- and birds! We've been feeding them for a very long time now, so I don't remember how long it takes. Recently we added two feeders that are attached (with suction cups) to our windows. At first it was just sparrows, but they will attract others. Now we have finches, both gold & purple daily along with nuthatches, titmice, cardinals, blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers and more enjoying it daily. The real trick is to keep it filled all the time!
I have literally hundreds of photos of the birds, a few that I think are "wow"! A couple of weeks ago my husband & I decided to make a list of the different species we've had visit us through the years and came up with over 80. Just hang in there, keep the feeders full & enjoy!
Oh yes, we added a peanut butter feeder this year too & the woodpeckers especially use it all the time.

I tried to add a photo & have yet to be able to get one to attach to a post here. If you want to see some of the birds I've captured, try this link (some of them aren't the greatest, but the Baltimore Oriole toward the end is my favorite!): http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigeonriver/sets/72157626500890315/

Kalskag2

Thistle seed will attract members of the finch family. Also try a hummingbird feeder--hummers are amazing birds to watch. Black oil sunflower seed attracts a wide variety of birds. Sue will bring woodpeckers

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

My cat lies under the bird feeder watching the birds feed. They don't seem to mind him much at all and he is a heck of a hunter.