For the Birds: Creating a Feeding Station and Attracting Them to It

Feeding the birds is easy and with only the slightest effort involved, you can create a feeding station that attracts a myriad of bird species. Feeding stations are a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of bird watching. They make exceptional tools for entertainment and learning. Feeding stations also help carry birds through tough times, especially when other food sources become scarce.

When you start your feeding station, keep in mind its location. Placing the feeding station somewhere close so that it can be easily viewed from different angles will provide the greatest opportunity for studying. Also, consider keeping it within the vicinity of nearby shrubs and trees. Birds need to feel safe and having some form of shelter nearby gives them a place to go should any predators begin lurking about, such as cats. This will also help ensure safe and continual visits to your feeding station.

In order to attract birds to the feeding station, you'll need to have an idea about what birds eat. While some people may think birdseed is just birdseed, think again. Many forms of store-bought birdseed are actually unappealing to most birds and not as nutritious. Pet stores and related suppliers offer the best quality birdseed and other favorites. To attract a multitude of feathered friends to the feeding station, you must appeal to their needs by offering a variety of treats. This might include things like thistle, millet, sunflower seeds, suet, nectar (sugar water), and even peanuts. Be sure you have plenty of berry-producing plants as well. Do some research to find out what various bird species like. For instance, many woodpeckers enjoy eating suet, doves prefer cracked corn and others, such as cardinals and blue jays, love sunflower seeds. Once you've established what they eat and where to put the feeding station, you must determine what types of feeders to use, since these can vary as well.

Platform feeders offer the best view and are easy to make yourself. All you need is a shallow box-like construction (from wood or plastic) with small drainage holes bored throughout. Attach this to the top of a sturdy post. Keep the height within easy reach for filling and cleaning but high enough off the ground to prevent easy access to predators (5 feet works well for me). These feeders are great for providing a mix of foods, like various birdseeds and fruit slices. They also entice a variety of birds, including ground species such as juncos and doves. Tube feeders are good choices for attracting cardinals, finches, and smaller birds like chickadees. They're inexpensive, easy to clean and refill. These feeders have different holes and perches for easier feeding. Appeal to a particular variety of bird by putting up more than one tube feeder and filling them with specific types of food. For instance, one can be filled with thistle to attract finches while another might have black oil sunflower seeds. Tube feeders can also be used with baffles to keep squirrels away.

Hummingbirds will come if you provide them with a nectar substitute, such as sugar water. Using mesh feeders is an easy, low-cost way to provide suet to nuthatches, woodpeckers, and others visiting the feeding station. You can make your own with mesh onion bags and hang them from nearby tree branches. Homemade feeders are not only less expensive but also fun and easy to create. You'll have the opportunity to let your imagination run wild, especially when you involve the kids. Construct them from nearly anything. For instance, try making them from old milk cartons, coffee cans, and shallow dishes. Be sure to provide some small drainage holes so water does not pool up in them during bouts of rain. Remember to keep all feeders clean on a regular basis to prevent diseases. You may also want to consider adding a special feeding station for the squirrels as well on the opposite end of the yard. Otherwise, these bandits may steal all of your food. Give them some nuts, fruit, and ears of corn.

Besides food, birds will need water. Birds not only drink it but they must bathe in it as well to keep their feathers in tip-top shape. Be sure to include some form of water feature with your feeding station. These may take the form of shallow dishes filled with water, birdbaths, or fountains. Creating a feeding station for the birds is easy and inexpensive. It's a great way to attract various species to your home year round, providing much needed food for them and much appreciated learning enjoyment for you.