All About Bird Feeding Stations
What is a bird feeding station? It's simple. A bird feeding station is an area of your yard or property where bird feeders are set up. Most bird feeding stations are set up near the deck or a window, so your family can enjoy the various birds that will come.
A variety of feeders of different kinds should be used for attracting and feeding a wide variety of species. As for the food itself, bird seed is still popular, but fruit, suet, peanut butter, nectar, and mealworms are also great choices. 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 enough to bushes or trees, so the birds can take flee to safety if danger should happen to be near. 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 thank you by visiting your yard more often.
If you place your seed birdfeeders near or within a garden area, sometimes the seeds will sprout! Now, some people may not like the idea of pulling out sprouting plants, especially if they have a more manicured garden area. If so, they can choose to get shelled seeds instead. They will also have the bonus of not having to deal with 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) growing a natural sunflower jungle for the birds.
I have seen some bird feeding stations that have long branches along with the feeders; these are very nice. These branches can either be tied onto the feeders or pushed into the ground, adding perches where the birds to sit while waiting their turn at the feeders. Some people also use these branches to hang pieces of fruit, 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 like lots of other birds around their little ones.
Be sure to have a source of water in your backyard for the birds to drink and bathe. But do not put this bird bath or pond too close to the feeders, though. Aside from the fact that preening birds prefer some peace and quiet while arranging and drying 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. Near your bird feeding station, try planting flowers that will provide seed and nectar for your backyard birds. Zinnias, coneflowers, and sunflowers are good choices. Birds will devour these seeds, especially during the autumn season.
Graham Watson is a researcher and writer working for http://www.iannaturemall.com, where you can get all the bird watching equipment at the best prices. Visit us for all your bird watching needs.
Rating: Not yet rated
Comments
No comments posted yet.
Add Comment
You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.
