A while back, we were visiting some pals in the south of the country. We have some things in common, and a couple of the main things are-- gardening and garden birds. They have a lottie just outside their city; however, interesting as THAT is...it is not the focus of this thread today. This thread concerns a bird feeder...a humble bird feeder. During the course of our chatting, the conversation turned to the subject of garden birds and some of the problems surrounding feeding stations and the birds that frequent them. The man is a keen observer of bird behaviour, including the feeding practices of the various birds that come to eat in their garden. He noticed that the seed consumption was being controlled by the bullies and gluttons. For instance the various corbid sorts like the jackdaw. The real eating machines are the doves though. They will just come and sit on a feeding table and binge. They are incredible to watch--when they begin pecking-up the seeds, they just do not stop. Now then...what to do. Of course they wanted the little birds; like the tits and sparrows to have some of the goodies, but they were not getting their fair share. The answer was then to make a feeder table that could exclude the big guys but still allow the smaller birds to eat in peace. The man explained it all to me and demonstrated this and that--I have to say that I was amazed and impressed with his thought and technique. Well, we discussed a price and placed an order with him for one such feeder, as we have similar problems in our lottie. I will show a number of pics of the bird house which they brought to us when they visited a couple of days ago. Aspects of he feeder: The roof. It was made of metal that he cut and formed himself. ...and then from underneath: It all fits so nicely. The roof was affixed with an elbow" welded onto the roof so there would not be a point of rusting from above. ...and then the joints were made fast with wooden pegs. Let me also draw your attention to the curved roof corner, a safety feature which also looks quite spiffy to my eyes.: Lets talk about the real purpose of this feeder-- the exclusion of the ravenous and mannerless guests. This first aspect is the distance between perch and food source. The architect had measured and calculated distance. He found the critical point of balance and then put the perch in at such a distance that when the dove or jackdaw would sit on the perch and lean forward to peck at seeds, they would loose their balance. I call this "inspired", no ...genius: Then on one side, there is a little "gate" that one can lift up to and clean the seed holder, or remove to add more. Note that he has sanded off the ends to slide into the holder grooves. Also that the metal holders are above the bottom of the feeder floor, so that seeds cannot get in the way. This little removable gate is fitted with tough, plastified mesh that keeps out the strong corbids and doves. The birds have found it. They flew to the feeder almost immediately, gave a quick look and then went right in. I have noticed that there is much less fighting at the feeding station now and the other birds simply sit on the perch and wait until the one inside leaves. The feeder in situ. A great thank you to the architect of this "humble" bird-feeder.
A lot of thought and detail to attention has gone into that birdfeeder. A well constructed, strong and well built feeder that will last for many years.
Was looking at this feeder again and need to ask - What is the grass(?) growing below it? Just to the right of the post. Looks lovely - am thinking it is a grass yes? no?
Merci ISLANDLIFE--I shall begin with you because you ask a specific question. The name of this Japanese grass plant is, Hakonechloa macra Aureola. It is a real beauty and has been in the garden for many years now. The clump under the feeder is actually a plug cut off off the original plant. I now have two big clumps. I plant them in the shade for best results. I can say this because I had done a little test, placing the plug in the full sun. That plug in the sun lost its definitive colour pattern there. I hope that you can find some of this marvelous grass, for it is a lovely addition to one's garden. Thanks EILEEN--Did you also recognize the grass plant at the foot of the feeder? Thanks STRATS--You said that right. I am so pleased with it and the birdies are using it now as if it had been there for aeons. Hiya HILDA-- Thanks so much. I agree with you and cannot compliment it enough--such a work of art. The feeder sort of takes the term, "garden features" to the next level doesn't it.
I am really pleased that you also found this birdfeeder a nice one. Thanks for taking the time to post your impression.
Thank you for the name of the grass. Am definitely going to look for it. I have a few shade areas and it could accent them quite nicely. For a real HUMBLE bird house I offer mine. I just planted coneflowers on either side as there is NO colour whatsoever in the garden. This area originally had 2 bamboo only in each corner planted in half buried garbage cans. No eye appeal at all. I've made these beds, planted blueberry bushes and echinachea on either side of the post holding the bird house. Am adding as I go (and next to go is the filled in red round fire pit). Believe it or not the previous owners of this place planted the red Japanese maple (right side of the photo) IN the pot it came from the nursery in. Luckily the roots are growing out the plastic holes in the bottom of the plant and the tree seems to be thriving but 'whew'! BTW - the 'gone to seed' parsley in this photo is no more. It is now gone
That looks like a nice place...a great setting with woods and water just outside your fence.Any chipmunks there? That birdfeeder will do the job though, won't it. It looks like it is in a good position if you want to sit inside or outside and watch the birds. Planting the acer's planted in their pots. Oh dear. I suppose that they did not want them to become "permanent".
You have a very nice back yard area with such great views! It's a challenge to remove unwanted landscaping and begin planning and making it 'your' yard but, to me, fun also. Thankfully you have some nice trees.
Thank you 2ofus and Sjoerd. Next to 'go' will be that firepit. It dries out daily and takes up space that might be better filled with 'openness.' So far I haven't noticed any particular bully birds but I can't see the bird feeder too well from up here. They can definitely clear it out of seed in a day though! There is a large marsh area behind me surround by woodland so am getting lots of birds. Haven't seen a chipmunk nor have I even seen squirrels come to the yard yet. There is a grey squirrel who lives closer to the marsh but I haven't seen him come into the backyard.
