Setting up natural looking bird feeders

[SEPkent]

Anyone got any advice on setting up some more natural looking bird feeders? Or idea's of such note! I have started to get them coming into the garden on the three bought feeders, but would like a more nutural looking pose....

 

[RJL2005]

You could try removing the perching pegs from hanging feeders and replace them with natural material (twigs etc). Another option is to set up a perch close to the feeders, birds often land close and check out the area before feeding.

 

[zarozinia]

I read about some people making holes in branches and filling them with peanut butter, something I might try myself.

 

[seriousrikk]

Setting a perch near the feeder is IMO the best option for natural lookig shots.

I positioned my feeders near a young hawthorn tree in my garden and mose of the smaller birds will spend a bit of time there at some point during the day.

 

[Byker28i]

We have a huge round ball full of seed that the sparrows love but have a branch that they land on first, nearly always in the same spot.
Like this:

I suppose you could make a version of that using a coconut shell

 

[SEPkent]

Thanks to you
Richardthesane, Zarazinia, RJL2005, Byker28i

 

[Yv]

like zarozinias idea, make some holes in a log and pack with the contents of fat balls, or even make your own mix with wild bird seed and lard, the hang from either a tradition table/feeder, from a branch or fasten to some kind of base.

 

[fracster]

like zarozinias idea, make some holes in a log and pack with the contents of fat balls, or even make your own mix with wild bird seed and lard, the hang from either a tradition table/feeder, from a branch or fasten to some kind of base.

That works very well Yvonne.....

 

[Kerioak]

I had a traditional bird table on a pole - little open house on top. This blew over in the wind and broke so now I put small logs or branches on it and place it near feeders which gives me a more natural setting to get the birds before or after they go and feed. A few seeds on the log also help.

 

[Byker28i]

like zarozinias idea, make some holes in a log and pack with the contents of fat balls, or even make your own mix with wild bird seed and lard, the hang from either a tradition table/feeder, from a branch or fasten to some kind of base.

My fat ball feeder is a startling magnet. No other birds get a look in. Really like the idea of the logs though. I might try that

 

[SEPkent]

Thanks to every one - I will try this next time I get out and about....

 

[Yv]

My fat ball feeder is a startling magnet. No other birds get a look in. Really like the idea of the logs though. I might try that

It really does work, as Fracs pic shows and if you see some of Charlies [Sawman] shots of woodies, he has done the log on a bigger log base thing. Starlings are a pain, especially at this time of year with the fledgings, but be patient, the others will also get some - one thing I noticed is to have several feeding stations round the garden, the starlings were happy to mob one whilst the other birds used the less obvious ones....so I deduce from that starlings are thick and lazy

 

[seriousrikk]

so I deduce from that starlings are thick and lazy

You deduce correctly, although there is always the occasional clever one as we are finding.

I'm now looking at the log idea, would be ideal for the smaller birds to have a go with.

 

[dreameruk]

the log idea is great thats how i got my woody shots

 

[SEPkent]

So are we saying that you find a large log about 4ft. Drill a hole into it and fill it with your desired feed. Then stand it up in the garden somewhere and let the photographic bananza begin!!!!!

 

[dreameruk]

sort of, i packed mine with suet mixed with bird seed and nuts. dug a hole where i wanted to take the shots put the log in and wated, once they have found it your up and away

 

[fracster]

Mine isn`t in a garden,it is in a wood,never see starlings there,they are too busy eating easier to find stuff.......

But yes, get a log,piece of dead wood or whatever,drill some 21 mm holes in it with a spade bit,stuff your fatballs or homemade fat balls in,lean it or tie it against a tree or whatever.Set your hide up and wait.

That woody shown earlier was taken with an 80-200 at 200mm,I think.So it can be done.

 

[SEPkent]

Thanks for your time and thoughts and tips and tricks. I will endevour to find a log/branch type things and set it up. Try and get some results posted on the bird forum next week......

Thanks again.

 

[walsh]

Will have to try this. first though I need to get some more bird feed!

 

[fracster]

Best of luck......

 

[walsh]

We have some house sparrows nesting in one of our boxes, just got to wait until one lands on one of the trees now....

 

[RJL2005]

Meal worms will be a very popular food at the moment for birds with young to feed. All you need is to fashion a suitable feeding device, hollowed out log etc.