Why are birds ignoring a fine new feeding station in Walnut Creek?

DEAR JOAN >> Perhaps you can shed some light on a mystery we have going on in our backyard.

A few months ago, when the pandemic started and we went into a lockdown situation, I decided to sand and paint a wood bird feeder. It is a six- sided gazebo style with six openings and small landing pads.

I finished it and placed it, hanging in the yard next to a fountain that is frequented by many birds to bathe and drink. It is also used by hummingbirds. The bird feeder dangled in the yard for over a month and not a single bird ventured into it.

Thinking it might be the location, I moved it to the top of a fence that separates the yard from a wall of shrubs and trees that house many birds. The feeder has been in that location for a month with no results. Not a single bird has even ventured near it. What do you think is the problem?

— Richard Perry,

Walnut Creek

DEAR RICHARD >> The bird feeder sounds like a dandy one, and if I was a bird, I’d certainly find it an attractive place to dine. But as they say in the real estate game, of which I know nothing, it’s all about location, location, location.

Birds can be picky about where they eat, because it can be a vulnerable time for them. They have to keep one eye out for predators, so if it doesn’t feel safe to them, they won’t come.

They don’t really care for feeders too near a water source because there are too many birds around, attracting predators. Moving the feeder to the top of the fence likely put it in an area that was too exposed.

Birds like a bit of cover, with places nearby where can make a quick escape should a cat or hawk wander by. Of course, they don’t want too much cover, which could work against them to allow a predator to conceal its presence, or allow a squirrel to jump from a tree to the feeder.

The general rule is to avoid open places, places that are too concealed and noisy areas. Feeders should be placed at eye level — yours, not the birds — or slightly above. A shepherd’s hook, placed away from the fountain and close, but not too close, to a tree, bush or hedge should earn your feeder a five-star review.

DEAR JOAN >> I have two oak trees in my yard and a lawn under seasonal attack by squirrels. Recently I decide to interfere with the squirrels’ process by putting out other food for them.

My fence has a flat top on it, so I’ve laid out different foods for them — shelled peanuts, sunflower seeds, Sugar Pops cereal and cat food, all in small portions that they eat immediately, thus spoiling their appetite and distracting them from their mission.

They do go through a lot of food but so far, not as many holes as in previous years. I do notice some slower moving, plump squirrels. We’ll see what happens come winter.

— P.G. S., Bay Area

DEAR P.G. S. >> They may not be eating as much as you think they are. My mom and I put out corn- on-the-cob for the lone squirrel we had visiting in our backyard several years ago. The squirrel would stuff its cheeks, disappear, then come back for more, quickly depleting our supply.

The following spring I learned where all that corn went when every potted plant I had started sprouting lots of corn stalks.