Setting-up A Bird Feeding Station

What is a bird feeding station Its simple. A bird feeding station is an area of your yard or property where you have birdfeeders set up. Ideally, it should be close to a window or the deck, so your family can enjoy the various birds that will come.

Use a variety of different types of feeders to lure the greatest number of species of birds. As for the food itself, fruit, suet, peanut butter mixtures, nectar, and mealworms can be offered in addition to various bird seeds. To attract a particular bird to your backyard, though, you need to know the type of feeder and food they prefer.

When placing your feeders, pick out a section of your yard for the bird feeding station that is visible from indoors, yet close to bushes or trees so that the birds can take flee to safety if danger should come around. Place the feeders for smaller birds in a separate area from the feeders for larger birds. Doing this will let the smaller birds to eat in peace, and not have to compete with the other, bigger ones. They will appreciate you for it and will reward you by more frequent visits.

A curious thing will sometime happen when you place your seed bird feeders near or within a garden, because sometimes the seeds will sprout! Now, some people may not like the idea of pulling out sprouting plants, especially if they have a well-manicured garden. If so, they can choose to get shelled seeds instead. An added bonus of shelled seed is that you will not have the mess of discarded shells, although the downside is that shelled seeds tend to mold faster. Some people may just let the seeds sprout, (sunflower seeds for example) and grow a natural sunflower forest for the birds.

Some of the nicest bird feeding stations that I've seen have long branches along with the feeders. Branches can be wired or tied to the feeder poles or can be pushed into the ground, thus adding some helpful perches for the birds to sit. Also think of the branches as places where you can spear or hang slices of fruit for the birds, while others grow vines up the branches. Vines are useful for breeding insects for the birds, as well as adding some decorative touches. If you want to use vines, though, I suggest using red trumpet-shaped flowering vines, since these help attract hummingbirds and also provide nectar.

A dead tree, called a snag, with dangerous limbs removed, is a great focal point for a bird feeding station. Woodpeckers and other insect-feeding birds can use the top of the tree, while the other feeders can be hanged on the lower branches. However, do not mount or hang nest boxes on a snag that is used as a feeding station, as parent birds do not feel safe with lots of other bird activity around their little ones.

Be sure to have a source of water in your backyard for the birds to drink and bathe. Never put a bird bath or pond too close to the feeding station, though. Aside from the fact that birds like a bit of peace and quiet as they arrange and dry their feathers, wet birds can not fly as well as dry ones and will avoid baths that have lots of other bird activity around them. Lastly, plant some flowers and plants near the bird feeding station to provide nectar and seeds for your visitors. Zinnias, coneflowers, and sunflowers are good choices. Birds will devour these seeds, especially during the autumn season.