Why are you cutting the grass as low as possible? That weakens it, and it's really not necessary for seeding patches, or even for doing a general broadcast of seed. The watering will also help to settle it in. If you're seeding patches, it's better to mix a bit of soil with the seed, then put it on and firm it in. It shouldn't need any additional fertiliser, but others may disagree. I wouldn't bother with the netting either. The usual method is to sow a bit more seed than is needed to allow for the odd bit that birds take. They've never take any of mine to any extent that I've seen, whether sowing a new lawn or doing repairs
Those clog things are a waste of time - they won't penetrate more than the very top surface. If you need to aerate, you're better with a fork.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hope you manage to resolve your lawn problem but it may be worth bearing in mind that netting can prove risky - to your bird population rather than yourself I should add. Thin legs and claws means it's easy for birds to get themselves caught up in it - particularly when they are used to pottering about on the grass. You could perhaps stretch some of the "Danger" tape over the area ( Red/White or Black/yellow ) which may help. Not the most attractive look but depends how long you need to keep the netting in place.
Thanks once again for all your advice, I really appreciate it.
I may skip the bird netting then because of their welfare. I was already concerned about that which is why I got excited about using polythene sheeting instead. I could've even carried on feeding them like I do every day which brings me onto another question:
Is it actually better to keep feeding them (if I don't use the netting of course!) and maybe more so, so that they won't be so inclined to eat the grass seeds instead?
Robins, sparrows, starlings, tits and the odd parakeet mostly use the feeding station but I always throw plenty of sunflower hearts on the lawn every day for the pigeons and they're used to it now, always mulling about the lawn looking for them. I feel as if I should feed them more to keep them off my grass seeds!
Rather than scattering the sunflower seeds over the lawn, use a saucer ( a plastic plant saucer with small holes drilled in the base to help with any rain ) in one place and the likes of the pigeons will very quickly learn where to go if they want a scoff.
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I wouldn't bother with the netting either. The usual method is to sow a bit more seed than is needed to allow for the odd bit that birds take. They've never take any of mine to any extent that I've seen, whether sowing a new lawn or doing repairs
Those clog things are a waste of time - they won't penetrate more than the very top surface. If you need to aerate, you're better with a fork.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You could perhaps stretch some of the "Danger" tape over the area ( Red/White or Black/yellow ) which may help. Not the most attractive look but depends how long you need to keep the netting in place.