Birds and Squirrels

There are many ways to feed birds and certainly many ways to create the feeder on which they will take their grub. Yet the most popular, if not the best kind is wooden bird feeders because of their sturdiness and use of natural materials.

Usually any kind of wood or plywood would suffice, but pine is recommended if there are plans to paint, or seal and put finishing on the feeder. Other recommended kinds are cedar and treated wood. It’s best to buy these kinds because they are also ideal for any weather setting—allowing birds to come anytime and feed.

If you’re setting up a place to eat for your winged friends, then you may also want to look at where their feeder will stand. Whether it’s for a pet or to attract wild birds, you will still need a sturdy bird feeder pole to hold it up.

The bird feeder pole also needs to be squirrel-proof. Squirrels can sense where they can steal nuts, seeds, and such, so you’ll need to keep them out. A manufacturer suggests creating a squirrel barrier using galvanized duct pipe and a garbage can lid.
 
To do this, you need to:

*Cut a hole in the center of the lid according to the size of the feeder pole.
*Wrap the duct pipe around the base of the pole.
*Slide the lid onto the feeder pole and push it down to the duct pipe to seal it. Make sure it is high enough to keep squirrels off even when they jump.