I have a small webcam and I would love to set up a bird feeder outside and have it record it. To do this I'd have to get the feeder quite close to the window, and I don't think the bids would go straight there.
If I started the feeder further away to let the birds find it, and then gradually moved it further away would this work?
You'd be surprised how close birds can get. Im sure if you set up something near the window like a food box for them they wouldn't mind if it was near a window or not.
They wouldn't be disturbed by anything in your room would they? Like loud music?
I think your biggest worry is to keep the birds from running themselves into the window. I know there are food boxes sold here in the USA which attach directly to a window.
But the birds may fly into the glass because they don't realise it's there, and also, they may attack their own reflection.
Kingfisher
If you have a quiet room with a window onto the garden, you could leave the curtains closed so the birds don't fly into the window and I think you could get the birds pretty close without the risk of them flying into the window (you might still have a problem with them seeing their own reflection).
However, its probably not practical to leave the curtains in a room permanently closed. If there is lots of movement in the room, the birds won't be too keen on coming that close to the window.
You might get better shots if you could get hold of some sort of wireless waterproof camera which could transmit back to your computer rather than trying to film from the window.
I will look into getting small wireless camera to use for this I think. I had considered it before, as I think it would get more natural shots anyway. I'm also hoping next year to put one in a bird box so I'll need a wireless and waterproof camera then anyway.
However, its probably not practical to leave the curtains in a room permanently closed.
Unless you are like me, and work a graveyard shift. The curtains in my bedroom are in fact permanantly closed. Rather odd, actually.
Kingfisher
I have a small webcam and I would love to set up a bird feeder outside and have it record it. To do this I'd have to get the feeder quite close to the window, and I don't think the bids would go straight there.
If I started the feeder further away to let the birds find it, and then gradually moved it further away would this work?
well I was surprise by two birds that came to my bedroom window when it was open and came in between the net curtain and the window and were twitting away while I was sitting up in bed haveing a cup of tea, it was lovely I enjoyed the time.
Do you know what birds were visiting you, copperfirefly? That sounds brilliant! I've never had an experience like that, myself.
Welcome to Wildlife UK!
Kingfisher
i have had a robin sitting in my palm eating mealworms once
i have had a robin sitting in my palm eating mealworms once
I've never had a bird do that to me. I've heard, that here in the US, chickadees (birds related to the tits) will do that quite often.
Kingfisher
I've never had birds eating out my hand in the wild, but I have had it at a show many years ago!
Copperfirefly, that sounds an amazing experience, I hope it happens to me at some point.
As of reply to bird feeding stations see pic...
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The birds seem very happy at that so who knows????
P.S We are having a conservatory built in a few weeks over the patio so we will let you know how we get on as we will then be a lot closer.
Thats pretty close, it will be interesting to see if they still come with the conservatory. I think they will once they get used to it, especially if there is not a lot of movement inside.
I've just measured mine and the nearest one to the house (back of the pic) is 8ft away from the porch. This is why I've got some great pics of the birds on my feeders!
I've had the odd bird hit the window - but it's very rare. Excuse the rubble in the pic won't ya, that's where some outbuildings were and we've taken them down so I can see the garden from the kitchen.