Feeding stations for birds

birdy961

birdy961

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Not too sure where to put this so thought here would do, if in the wrong place Mods feel free to move it.:shrug:

I have seen lots of wonderfull photo's :love: on these forums of birds etc that you have manged to entice to your feeding stations.

What I would like to know is how you go about setting up a decent feeding station in your garden.:help:

I have no idea where to start and do not want to cock it up, also I have two cats so am wary about setting something up and then having them end up as lunch:eek:

Any advice much appreciated :thumbs:
 
Cats and wildlife don't mix IMO, but if you want to attract birds and keep them safe, make sure you don't put food anywhere within about 5-6 feet of a likely cat hiding place. Ideally use a free-standing wooden feeder in the middle of your lawn, possibly within camera range of your window, so there is plenty of space all around it. If you have trees you can stick scraps of food - suet and seed/nuts etc - in crevices and holes, but make sure it's a tree the cats can't climb. Pay attention to likely cat jumping-off points like fences, walls, roofs etc.

Birds are more likely to be looking for water in summer unless you live near a pond, so consider investing in a birdbath.

Birds aren't stupid and won't generally go into places they don't feel safe, so if you're not getting results from one station within a weeks or so, try moving it. And good luck :)
 
Well first of all you need a station that cannot be climbed easily by cats, which is why the metal pole ones have flourished I think as claws can be used to climb wooden poles.

Then choose a position carefully - not too close to any shrubs cats can hide under, in a good spot for you to be able to photograph it - this can help by starting with it further away and slowly over several months moving it closer to your 'hide' [the rspb actually recommend you move them regularly anyway, together with cleaning, to help reduce disease threats] Also consider th eposition of the sun, will you be shooting into the sun for the bulk of the day if your house is south facing?

Then you need to stock it with a good range of food stuffs - wild bird seed, fat balls/cakes, sunflower hearts are like Thorntons Chocolates to garden birds, niger seed, peanuts, meal worms, etc. Very importantly, all year round, is fresh water, making sure in winter you break any ice on it.

The next requirment is patience - it can take months for the birds to find and make your 'cafe' part of their daily routine, especially at this time of year when natural food is quite abundant - however once they do find the easy meal, they will come flocking.

Finally, don't stop feeding them once you start, as they will rely on your table once they get used to it - Mr LL is already commenting that bird food costs us more then food for two small dogs :lol:

Hope thats a start, I am sure there will be plenty more good advice from the good peeps of TP ;)
 
Get collars for the cats with bells on, makes it much harder for them to creep towards the feeders. Be prepared to disinfect the feeding equipment once every couple of weeks too as well as remove any uneaten food as diseases in birds are on the increase.

We have three cats and still get plenty of birds at the table and feeders.

HTH Gary :)
 
LadyLens said:
Well first of all you need a station that cannot be climbed easily by cats, which is why the metal pole ones have flourished I think as claws can be used to climb wooden poles.
QUOTE]

If it's free standing a cat won't climb it - it'll just fall over. Same goes if it tries to jump on it. Once you start making them rigid, a cat will find a way to get onto it. If it's located properly the birds will see the cat coming anyway.
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Thanks for the quick responses peeps:thumbs: Keep em coming:D

Shall have a careful look in the garden to try and find the best/safest spots.

Will give this some more thought as don't want to attract birds only for the furry monsters to munch em:bang:

Will certainly look at the metal stations and give careful consideration to where i site it.
Will also look at a birdbath as well as had not thought of that

And thanks for the advice so far, especially around keeping the station clean etc

Cheers:thumbs:
 
If it needs cleaning often, it's a poor design. Keep it open, some shelter from rain is good for dry seed, but needs to breath. I prefer to mix the seed with suet. Don't waste your money on those silly fat balls - make your own.
 
I must say my approach has been slightly different to other peoples...............

With the feeders in the middle of the lawn area, the birds did not want to know. Once I had moved the feeders nearer to some cover, the birds started to feel safer, and the food started to disappear. Then I gradually moved the feeders into a position that I wanted. As most people have already said: Keep the feeders clean, give them a variety of different foods, and move the feeders around (ie, sometimes close to the house, sometimes far away from the house. I find this increases your chances of the birds visiting up close, as they already recognise that feeder as having food in.)

As for cats, generally the birds will sort out their own alarm system. Those that don't, well that's nature for you! I have never seen a cat take a bird in my garden..................The sparrow hawk is much more successfull!

Above all be patient. Some birds will come within a few days, others may take months to appear. Just remember to clean away any uneaten food, especially if the weather has been wet/damp - it soon goes "off".
 
Also has anyone got pics of their set up?

(Cheers for the fat ball tip Graverobber:thumbs: May well be asking you for recipes at some point:D, and the linky)
 
Grave Robber said:
If it's free standing a cat won't climb it - it'll just fall over. Same goes if it tries to jump on it. Once you start making them rigid, a cat will find a way to get onto it. If it's located properly the birds will see the cat coming anyway.
Click to expand...


:lol: wanna bet? I started with a free standing wooden one...for about a week until my now departed tonkinese learnt exactly how to get up it, with no help from any nearby fences as it was in the middle of the lawn.


Just dont have it too close to fences either Birdy, I think we all know how good the furry monesters are at jumping.

Oh, and whats you neighbourhood like for squidgers? Metal feeders are more expensice than plastic ones, and whilst not squirrel proof, do take a lot more abuse. Just having food on a flat table is an open invite to every grey furry pest in a 5 mile radius btw - though if you like snapping them too.... :lol:


this is mine, looking a bit empty as I was filling feeders and stuff at the time when I relaised it was good opportunity to do test shots on anew lens.

test1.jpg


the extra branches are for photographich reasons, they give the birds a more 'natural' perch as they land at the table while you are ready with the camera.
 
LadyLens said:
Oh, and whats you neighbourhood like for squidgers? Metal feeders are more expensice than plastic ones, and whilst not squirrel proof, do take a lot more abuse. Just having food on a flat table is an open invite to every grey furry pest in a 5 mile radius btw - though if you like snapping them too.... :lol:
Click to expand...

Not seen squidgers but they are probably about, I would like to see em so you never know :D
 
I also modify my feeders.......old coke bottles cut down make good "umberellas", and a bit of mastic/sealant stops some more of the rain getting in. I have also fitted a tray underneath the sunflower seed feeder to catch those that the finches throw away..........the blackbirds can just about balance on there....

2564883587_7fff02666f_o.jpg


Note: This feeder is due to be cleaned in the morning.
2564884421_f79f1d9b9f_o.jpg
 
Whilst trays under feeders are a good idea to catch falling food ..... watch out for greedy Sky Rats or Woodies .... if they can reach the feeder holes they will empty them at an alarming rate!
 
tappilappi said:
I also modify my feeders.......old coke bottles cut down make good "umberellas", and a bit of mastic/sealant stops some more of the rain getting in. I have also fitted a tray underneath the sunflower seed feeder to catch those that the finches throw away..........the blackbirds can just about balance on there....
Click to expand...

Great idea with the drinks bottle umbrellas :thumbs:
 
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