Robins and tree sparrows

torrentum

Hi all
Im looking to attract robins to my garden. I've read about setting up boxes for tree sparrows and I'm wondering if this is also possible with robins? Is this a bad time of the year to be thinking about setting up boxes for these birds? I was thinking about fixing these boxes to poles, is there a min distance from a house or does that matter? ie would a house in close proximity make them nervous and not want to take up residence in the box?
I'm a total novice- all help is truly appreciated.
Many thanks

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

To be honest, putting up a nest box will not attract Robins to a garden. If Robins are about they will find plenty of places to nest in a garden. The big question is why you have no Robins. Where is your garden? (Urban/Rural) What planting is in the garden? Do you provide food for birds? Do you have other birds visiting the garden?

torrentum

Hi scrameen: I live in a rural location. My yard is not landscaped yet and is a half acre jungle- totally wild. I don't leave out food but am interested in finding out what food attracts what? Other birds I've seen are blackbirds, magpies, finches, doves, crows. I've seen lovely finches in the really bad weather in winter but not in summer. How can I attract robins/ tree sparrows then?

Thanks

mgwhelan

unless you know theres tree sparrows around your area it'll be hard to attract them as there a not a common bird in ireland, house sparrows are the most common of the sparrow family in ireland if thats the one you meant.

torrentum

Hi mgwhelan

Yes I've seen loads of house sparrows. Only seen one tree sparrow yesterday. But if there are any in the area I my thinking is to leave out whatever food they like, and see if any come to eat. Would you happen to know what they like to eat in particular?

mgwhelan

they eat mostly seeds off the ground but they will use seed and peanut feeders.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

With your location and the birds you already see, I find it strange you don't have Robins. A decent seed mix on a bird table, or on the ground, will usually attract Robins but only if they are in the area already. They don't travel about much but a garden like yours should have at least one pair.
Tree Sparrows like ground feeding on a seed mix (wheat is popular with them)

torrentum

Right, seed mix it is then. Thank you all for your help. I'll upload a pic or two if any robins/tree sparrows show up.

Mothman

It took a number of years for robins to become established in my garden despite a mature (with oak and ash) field hedge running along 2 sides of site. I always did wonder why.

torrentum

I've only ever seen the Robin in my garden during the really bad snow over the last two winters. I fed him on the table outside. Eventually he'd get used to being fed and he'd sit there waiting for me to go out! Amazing bird.
Pity I never see him at any other time other than winter.