How to
A well-placed bird table can really do wonders for your garden. Not only can they be used as a decorative feature, but they provide birds with a re-assuring place to find food, attracting more birds to your garden.
With so many choices and designs of bird tables to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one to buy. Here are a few points to consider when choosing the perfect bird table…
Size
One thing to consider is the size of the bird table. Make sure the bird table you choose isn’t too small as birds don’t like crowded areas, and it will lead to more birds fighting rather than feeding. A platform area of about 3-4 square feet is ideal.
Material
Wooden bird tables are both a natural and an attractive choice; it’ll look great in your garden and the birds will enjoy feeding from it. However, one factor to bear in mind is that wood is susceptible to the weather and can rot easily. Bird tables with metal feet will resist rot; you could also choose a metal table such as the Peckish Secret Garden Wall Hanging Bird Table.
An alternative option to wood, is a plastic bird table. The appearance of these are less natural and some may argue that it’s not as appealing to the eye, but they’re a lot easier to clean. Cleaning bird tables and feeders regularly is extremely important to help birds stay healthy and prevent diseases.
Bird tables with a thatched roof look great in gardens, especially cottage gardens. However, thatch also makes a great nesting material for birds, so you may start to see it thin out in spring. Also, with the nature of thatch, it is more likely to get damp with wet weather conditions and therefore, deteriorate quickly.
Design
The design of the bird table is also an important factor. For example, the smoother and straighter the post is, the harder it is for cats and squirrels to climb, as they have little to grip on to.
For the health and safety of the birds, it’s best to check and make sure that there are no sharp edges on the bird table that could potentially cause injury.
Many bird tables also feature hooks so you can hang other bird feeders from it. Having a variety of food and feeders available is a great way to attract a higher variety of birds to feed and visit your garden.
It’s also a great idea to consider how easy the bird table will be to clean and how stable it will be in the wind. It’s also best to avoid bird tables that have corners or areas where food may become lodged, as this can allow food to get stuck and go mouldy. Bird Tables such as The Peckish Complete Bird Table features a flip-top roof for easy access to clean and has a wide, stable base, meaning that it won’t fall over easily.