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Number and location of bird feeders? (5 Viewers)

B

Birdwatchin' Elk

Member
I have a hanging bird feeder, a window bird feeder, and a suet feeder outside my kitchen window. They bring a nice variety of birds. :)

This might be sort of a dumb question, but where else might I want to put a feeder? I have an extra pole, that I could put somewhere in the front or back yard, and a feeder to hang on it. Where might be the best place for it? Do people put feeders out front, or is it a backyard thing?

What amount of bird feeders would be like, the maximum? (I'm kind of addicted :-O ) I have about half an acre.

Thanks :)
 
Fozzybear said:
Just get one of these (you may find it quite expensive to refill though!):

http://gwct.org.uk/about_us/news/1304.asp

;)
Click to expand...

A lot of Dr's quoted in that article, although there is no evidence of any birds actually using it or getting fed lol!!!

...

Feeding stations are good, but if you're serious about wildife, gardening all or a substantial amount of your plot (if you don't do so already) for wildlife in general/birds is an even better idea... planting native species of shrub, fodder crops even ...
 
dantheman said:
Feeding stations are good, but if you're serious about wildife, gardening all or a substantial amount of your plot (if you don't do so already) for wildlife in general/birds is an even better idea... planting native species of shrub, fodder crops even ...
Click to expand...

I will work on that, but right now I don't have the green thumb for it at all.
 
Hopefully you'll get some proper bird feeder fanatics responding with feeder information ... Good luck with your birds ;)
 
I would keep the feeder in the back, as then it has less of a chance of being stolen

You can have as many bird feeders as you like on 1/2 an acre , I have 1/4 of an acre and I have almost 20 :p
 
Hi,
There really is no limit on the number of feeders you can put up other than your ability to keep them full and clean.
While hummingbirds can be dog in the mangerish, most birds will share.
Problems are that spillage harms the grass and can attract rodent, plus spacing should be enough to keep squirrels etc from jumping from one feeder to the next.
A good way to mount multiple feeders is to use a baffled pole with multiple arms, sort of an avian smorgasbord.
A small source of running water, even just a little basin with a recirculating pump, will attract more birds than another feeder. If the water splashes, even better. Birds love to bathe, but good shallow bathing spots are hard to find.
Please keep us posted on your visitor log.
 
I remember an upset old gent when I was walking to work one day, he had loads of feeders in a tree outside his window but someone had come in the night and taken half of them and broken and scattered the others around his garden.

I just don't understand the mentality of some people... :C
 
I have a small city lot and have feeders in both my front and back yards. The front yard feeders are in front of the bay window off of the living room so the birds are viewable while watching TV. The pole system hangs over the walkway so it's easy to keep clean underneath. I used to have it in the flower bed, but got really tired of the seeds sprouting. Anyway, I have a hummingbird feeder, a tube feeder and a tray style feeder here.

I have a pole system in the back yard too, which has a platform underneath to catch the mess. This pole system has a thistle feeder, hopper feeder, tube feeder and suet cage. I have a hummingbird feeder in one of my flower gardens in the back yard too.

So, I probably have more feeders than I should for the size yard that I have, but the birds enjoy it and I enjoy watching them so why not? I keep things clean, so no harm done imo.

Lately the adult birds have been bringing their off spring to the feeders which has been really cool to watch. I can count up to 10 chickadees at any given time hopping around stealing seeds and peanuts :)
 
I have mine all located in the backyard next to my patio. I have a large sliding glass door and I have set the feeders up about 15 feet away. I have a cheap lantern style feeder, a peanut feeder, woodpecker seed block, and I hang a thistle sock off of the pole as well. Then on the bottom of the pole there is a small bird bath/water bowl. There is a fence which surrounds our property which gives the birds a nice area to perch and keeps cats out of the backyard. Behind the fence are more property and 2 giant pine trees, which 80% of the birds nest or stay in. Then there is some open common ground area which brings in the insect eaters (Mocking Birds, Robins, and Thrashers) I’ve been thinking about adding another pole in the back close to the pine trees or possible in the open area to attract some new species. Or possible making the 2nd pole strictly suet and seed blocks to keep the bigger birds in a different location.
 
Birdwatchin' Elk said:
People would steal a bird feeder? Really?!
Click to expand...

Yes they will. I've had a feeder stolen (now I don't get anything too ornate that isn't easily replacable), garden ornaments, and two 50+ lb planters.

But then again I live in the city, in a melting pot of people from all walks of life, a stone's throw from a busy street full of bars and restaurants. At night, it seems anything without legs, has the ability to grow a pair of feet and walk away.
 
I'm fortunate enough to live in a town where there's no threat of anything being stolen, but I grew up in the big city so I have the anti-trust mentality so I still don't put anything in the front yard. As for feeders, over time I've added more and more, but also removed some, based on what uses them and how much. I don't like to let feeders sit full too long, or the seed just spoils, so I only put out as much as the birds will eat in a few days. I have to say though, the more the better, to prevent fighting for space, and to give the shy birds room to eat in peace. I'm a big fan of the tray feeders, because they hold more birds, and are not messy. I just dump out the seed hulls into a 5g bucket when necessary, so it doesn't go on the lawn or in the mulch beds. I also feed only thistle in areas that are hard to weed, as they don't sprout. Another thing I've progressed to is making my own mixes by buying seed in bulk. Nothing is worse then the pile of milo that accumulates on the ground because nothing eats it.

As for feeders, spring through fall I have a main feeding station with a large tray, and four hooks, with a big tube feeder, up-side-down suet feeder (to prevent startlings), a peanut feeder, and a chunk of 3" diameter log with 1" holes bored in it, filled with peanut butter. I also rigged a corn cob holder on the pole, to feed the blue jays and red bellied woodpeckers. I also pole mounted 2 medium sized tray feeders under other trees, and have 2 thistle feeders by the dining room windows. In winter its the same, but I add 2 more tray feeders with roofs on the deck to provide food when it snows. One is 3'x3', only 4" high, and sets right on the deck for easy viewing. Besides the tube and peanut feeders, I built all the rest myself to save money.
 
I've had feeders in the front for a year now and they haven't been taken, I can watch while I wash the dishes or type on here! I had four goldfinches on yesterday with a blue tit bombing them as there were no ledges left : )


A month ago I replaced my birdtable in the back which only attracted magpies, pigeons and squirrels (and I know one species is as good as another, but we all have our favourites) but the new pole feeder hasn't had any visitors yet, partly due to the time of year probably.

My goldfinches have been my most persistent vistors and seem to enjoy a very lesuirely feed on nyger seed or sunflower hearts.

OH OH OH just witnessed a goldfinch fight, there were about six of them,they must have brought the juvs as well today, but there wasn't room for everyone so they had a bit of a tussle and then ALL flew off. Three back now and one still trying to be a trouble maker.

Off to watch some more.
Mary
 
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