The Safest Place to Put a Bird Feeder in Your Yard for Every Season

Making your yard bird-friendly requires providing food, water and shelter options that provide safety and visibility for visiting birds.

Where you position your feeders can make an enormous difference to how many birds visit them. Proper placement ensures birds safe access while providing shelter from predators and weather elements.

Spring

Before setting up a feeder, the first thing to consider is whether or not you have enough bird food to attract the species you wish to attract. You can test this by scattering some seeds near the feeder and watching to see who visits; if no birds visit then either your seed type or location may need changing.

Black oil sunflower seeds are popular with cardinals but may attract sparrows as well. White proso millet offers another viable option and features a softer shell which makes digesting easier for smaller birds. You should also ensure your seed is protected from rain and wind as swaying feeders could displace seed quickly or cause it to spoil quickly.

Your surroundings should also play an important role when considering protection from predators. Ideally, feeders should be located away from trees and shrubs which provide hiding places where predators might ambush passing birds – preferably 10-15 feet from these objects is best advised; also try not placing feeders directly against windows as startled birds flying into them can be fatally injured or killed by flying glass fragments.

Your feeder should be situated so it’s easily visible for you so you can watch the birds visit your yard. Birds will also likely flock more readily to a feeder that integrates seamlessly into the landscaping design, making it more of a welcome feature in the garden rather than an unsightly addition.

If your area attracts squirrels as well as other wildlife, it’s essential that your feeder be set up to prevent squirrels from stealing feed. Certain feeders feature slippery poles or baffles designed to stop squirrels from climbing to the top to access seed. You could also try feeding peanuts or suet cakes instead, as these sources of protein might appeal more broadly than bird seed. Unfortunately, squirrels can leap tens of feet, rendering deterrence impossible;

Summer

As summer heats up, moving your bird feeders to more shaded locations is essential for both birds and you. This helps avoid food spoilage from direct sun exposure as well as predators such as squirrels. Examples of shaded locations could include under a tree canopy or shadow from shed, verandah or porch structures; hanging feeders like traditional hopper or cylinder types should be placed high up a tree or pole and baffles may help protect from squirrels and other pests that try to visit their feeding stations.

Hanging feeders are extremely popular among birders, as they allow you to get closer to your feathered friends. Titmice and goldfinches love perching on these hanging feeders; some special feeders exist specifically designed for this purpose. Other types include suet cages that draw woodpeckers and small platforms designed to attract chickadees.

Ground feeding is another effective way to attract birds. There are a variety of feeders you can place on the ground, from large trays for sparrows and ground-feeding bluebirds, to shrubs or loosely-stacked brush piles to provide resting places and protect from predators between feeding bouts. If using ground feeders, provide nearby cover such as shrubs or brush piles as shelter between feeding bouts as well as protection from predators.

Birds may linger around feeders during the summer as they search for insects and seeds, making them easier prey for predators such as domestic cats. To protect your feeders, try positioning them away from fences or dense foliage where cats might hide or attack quickly.

An ideal location to hang a feeder during summer is beneath an unused tree limb, such as one protruding over a shed roof or house back wall. This provides birds with a safe haven should they detect an unwelcome threat while making cleaning easy.

Fall

Bird feeding may become less frequent during autumn, but choosing an effective backyard bird feeder location can still attract fall migrants and assist your resident flock in weathering the oncoming of winter. Contrary to popular belief, backyard birders don’t discourage seasonal migration by providing enough calories in autumn; indeed migratory birds can stop by your yard for an energy boost before or during their migration journeys.

Provide additional food sources during autumn can also assist migratory birds in building fat reserves to survive cold temperatures, and reaching their migration destinations on time to mate and nest before winter sets in. A regular source of food at your backyard feeder can also ensure birds arrive at their destinations to mate and nest before winter arrives.

An easy and cost-effective way of feeding various bird species ranging from songbirds and woodpeckers, such as songbirds or woodpeckers, is installing a platform feeder in the ground or bucket filled with cement. Placed near trees which offer shelter or hold nuts, fruits or berries that provide fall and winter food sources, adding a suet cage feeder beneath can attract hummingbirds or orioles as additional visitors.

Backyard feeders set near natural cover such as evergreens and shrubs provide birds with shelter between feeding sessions, providing quick escape routes from predators like cats or hawks. But be careful not to position the feeder too close – an injured bird flying into window glass at full speed has no chance of survival; for optimal results 3-8 feet should separate a window and the feeder.

Bring birds to you with ease using the Observer Window Feeder, which easily attaches to any window with three suction cups for stability and holds up to one pound of seed at any one time. Plus, its sloped overhangs protect it from rain and snow. Plus, its large viewing window makes watching all of the action easy while an optional perch adds even more birds into your life!

Winter

Winter brings color and activity to any yard with winter birds, but these nonmigratory species need your help in order to survive through these darker months. Backyard feeders offer essential nutrition when natural sources become scarce in snow. Ideal locations for these feeding stations are near open spaces such as woods, brush piles or backyard fences; be wary of structures like trees, houses or structures which might pose danger; use easy to refill and protect feeders that keep birds healthy and welcoming for best results.

Proper feeder placement not only attracts birds, but it can also help minimize disease and other risks to wild birds. Birds sharing feeding surfaces makes it easy for bacteria such as Salmonella and E coli to spread between themselves; when birds gather together at feeding sites they share waste as well as contaminants; mixing at feeders has even been linked with conjunctivitis in house finches; an eye condition which prevents them from detecting threats or eating properly.

Warming water sources is also beneficial to birds in climates with freezing conditions, as this enables them to hydrate without using too much energy or risk drowning. If a heated bird bath cannot be provided, adding rocks or perching surfaces such as perching surfaces can help birds stay dry and remain comfortable. Finally, it’s crucial that any trash from feeding areas be removed quickly; bread, processed “people” foods, and domestic pet food may attract rodents that can harm or even poison birds.

Maintaining a bird-friendly space year-round takes effort, but the rewards can be great. By providing them with food, water and resting spots that sustain native bird populations in your neighborhood, your efforts will help reverse decades-long declines in native species and reverse decades-long declines in bird numbers – you are helping reverse decades-long declines! Audubon Great Lakes’ conservation, policy and education work provides more details here.