Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!rutgers!ucsd!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hpda!hpcuhb!hp-sde!hpfcdc!jim
From: jim@hpfcdc.HP.COM (Jim Tear)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: A Rookie Birder
Message-ID: <8140007@hpfcdc.HP.COM>
Date: 5 Aug 88 16:39:57 GMT
References: <10982@grebyn.COM>
Organization: HP Ft. Collins, Co.
Lines: 29

My favorite feeder is a 2' by 2' wooden pltform on top of a long
galvanized pipe (about 3/4") attached via a floor bracket.  If
squirrels are around, a guard is essential; I've always used
a commercial one.

I usually put out a cup of seed each morning and evening.  That's
enough to attract plenty of birds.  By rationing the seed, I limit
the birds' dependence on me; they must get most of their food
natually or from someone more generous.  Some people try to
keep their feeder full, but that can cost a fortune.

Improvements to a simple platform include a cover to protect the
seed from snow and rain, a windbreak on the northwest side, and
a seed hopper.

Place the feeder near a window but far enough (much farther than
you think) away from buildings, trees, and shrubs to keep the
squirrels off.

Currently, I'm using a bird bath as a feeder.  It's in the front
yard on the south side of the house.  We have no squirrels here.
I put out only one handful of sunflower seeds each morning and
evening.  I put a bird bath next to it.  We get house finches,
pine siskins, English sparrows, and a variety of migrants.
Robins love the bird bath.  Every year we see new species as the
landscaping in our 10-year old subdivision matures (a couple of
years ago, we did'nt even have robins!).

	Jim Tear  --  Hewlett-Packard  --  Ft. Collins, CO