Just putting out new bird feeders

Last couple of days I have been hunting around for ideas on putting out more bird feeders in my yard, and found an idea about using flag pole holders and conduit to hold them out from fences, decks and houses. So I finally found some at my local Ace Hardware, all I could find was $10-20 ones anywhere else. Just started the installation, but wanted to pass on the info. I got 3/4 flag holders and 1/2" ID conduit, a perfect fit. But then the battery on the cordless drill went out. A job for tomorrow.

I bring this up as I know that there are those who are looking for cheap alternatives around here. $3.25 per holder, $1.97 for 10 feet of conduit. And 5 feet seems pretty far away with my tests. The bird stores stuff looked good, but a basic set up was $60.

Here are some pics, I am going out to buy beefier ones as these are failing with more than a suet cage or a small sunflower seed holder. Its not the pole its the stamped metal flag base.

Here's a completed unit

Ah - okay. Nice design!

I found that the 1/2" conduit and the cheap-o flag pole cleats can only hold the smallest of feeders. I got some 3/4" conduit and 1" flag pole holders that can hold much bigger loads.

But I did get them out today 6 in total, including one hummingbird feeder for a hummer that Ty saw at lunch Sunday. Hummers loved my Crocosomsia 'Lucifer' so much They must have stuck around.

Be careful, Rob - once the hummers start coming back, you are responsible for feeding them for the winter! Or so I've heard . .

I live on a hill and my neighbor's kitchen window looks over my back yard. Last winter I got a call from the neighbor insisting that I thaw my frozen hummingbird feeder because the birds were working very hard in a futile attempt to get some nectar. We are having a freeze this week and I bring the feeders in at night and put them back out during the day. I even rotate them during the day so there is always an unfrozen one. The Anna hummers hang out here all year long and yes, I feel responsible.

Yes. the hummer feeder comes in at night and goes out in the morning.

Good for you guys!! I think it was Susybell who posted a picture one year of a little heater they had rigged up outside to keep the nectar thawed. Seems like you should be able to buy something like that around here for the Anna's.

Yep, I've been rotating nectar feeders for our hummers too. Poor little guys need all the help they can get this time of year.

You guys are so good. I rarely see hummers here. I have to drive into the nursery to see them in February when the Mahonia starts to bloom . . .

We've got at least two that are here all year. I feel so sorry for them, it makes me want to buy them little coats, hats and birdy boots... LOL

When we were having that really harsh wind, I watched one poor little hummer hanging onto the feeder for dear life while trying to drink. Made me glad that that feeder has perches on it. I think I want to replace our other one that doesn't have those.

I like your feeder holder idea AnalogDog. I bet the squirrels hate you. ^_^

great idea-and probably somewhat cat proof as well.
Yes, Kathy's right. I usually have heated my hummer feeder with a spotlight. I can't find the picture right now-must be on my computer and not on the network drive. I've recently acquired a thermocube plug that shuts off above 45', which makes it safer, but now that I have an indoor-outdoor cat I've quit feeding the hummers. He caught one last summer :( :( :( (and that wasn't all he caught, either. He even caught dragonflies :( :( )

I may make some nectar and put it out today anyhow, though. Looks like it's my turn to be particularly cold today. It was 9' when DH got up this morning.

I have not seen squirrels on the feeders yet. Time may tell, they supposedly can climb the poles, however. I want to make some suet feeders for our Flickers as I see them from time to time on the suet way out of balance. I have seen ones with wooden perches attached to the suet box, think I can make one from scrap lumber.

Thanks all for the comments on the feeders, it was the result of an internet browse, and maybe a DG article after I have tested them for awhile.

The feeders are crowded this morning. Sitting on the couch I have a view of a suet feeder that is often covered with 5 or 6 chicadees and a flicker just left. I checked another off the bedroom and had 2 house finches taking up residence. This rocks, even if it is cold out there.

It rocks, ESPECIALLY because it's cold out there. Now you need to get out your camera and start posting to the bird forum . . .

Oh, my gawd, a Pileated Wood pecker just showed up out of no where. What that giant bird wants with my little feeder is amazing. I have no pileated habitat around here for a half mile or more. I wonder if I got on a map or something in birdland?

But if I only had a decent camera! And a tripod!
!

Pileated woodpeckers have something like a 30 square mile territory. My neighbors (1/2 mile away) have a pair who hang out in their yard (presumably in part because they have feeders there).

A couple of times a year I see them "playing" around my yard.

I'd love a new camera, too. But, no matter what I get, next year there's something better out there. ;-)

This message was edited Dec 11, 2009 12:55 PM

Ooooh lucky. We had a pileated woodpecker that used to hang out in the half-dead madrona in the front yard at our last house. I miss him. Beautiful birds, they are.

We have had them here also. The builders always take down their snags

Yeah, we gotta have snags protected for them.