How To Build a Bird Feeding Station

The easiest way to attract a wide variety of wild birds to your garden is by creating a bird feeding station. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, building a bird feeding station is a great way to help out your local feathered friends and observe a selection of different bird species from the comfort of your own home.

Keep reading for our ultimate guide on how to build your very own bird feeding station!

1. Choose a good location

Choosing a good location for your bird feeding station is crucial if you want to help your local birds to feel safe and keep coming back. Your feeding station should be positioned away from high-traffic areas where people, pets and predators could disturb the peace. The station should also be positioned near some kind of natural shelter (like a tree, shrubs or bushes) as this provides an easy getaway route for the birds if there are signs of danger.

From a human point of view, you will want to position your bird feeding station in an easy-to-access location so that you can refill and clean the feeders regularly. You may also want to place the feeders near a window or outdoor seating area so that you can enjoy observing the birds without disturbing them! 

2. Install a Pole or Post

A sturdy post or pole will be the backbone of your feeding station – it’s essential if you want to add hanging bird feeders. At Really Wild Bird Food, we stock a number of different garden poles for you to choose from, but if you would rather repurpose a flag pole or something else from around the house, that can work too.

Ideally your pole should be at least 5 or 6 feet tall so that the birds will be out of reach for most predators. You should also ensure your post is stable and able to withstand various weather conditions. You can do this by either digging a hole at the base or using concrete or gravel to weigh down the pole and secure it in place.

3. Add Feeders

You can use feeding station hooks to attach your bird feeders at a variety of different levels – this will help you attract a selection of different bird species to your garden. Try to also offer a variety of different feeder and food types that cater for different birds; for example, tube feeders filled with sunflower or niger seeds to attract small songbirds, plus suet feeders to attract woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens.

It is also a good idea to install seed catcher trays at the bottom of your feeding station. These will not only prevent mess from falling seeds, but will also provide a platform for ground-feeding birds.  You may also want to invest in a couple of squirrel proof bird feeders if you don’t want pesky squirrels eating all your seed before the birds arrive!

4. Provide Fresh Water

By providing fresh water for birds to drink and bathe in, your bird feeding station will be even more attractive. Choose a shallow bird bath and make sure you keep it clean to ensure fresh and safe water for the birds.

READ MORE: How to Provide Water for Birds

5. Offer a Range of High-Quality Bird Feeds

Providing a varied assortment of high-quality seeds and feeds is the best way to attract a variety of species to your garden. At Really Wild Bird Food, we stock a huge range of high-quality, home-grown bird foods that your garden birds won’t be able to resist! If you’re looking to attract a specific species to your patch, a quick Google search will tell you their favourite snacks and other feeding preferences, so you can customise your feeding station just for them!

6. Be Patient!

The final step in building a perfect bird feeding station is to be patient! Sometimes it can take a while for birds to find your feeders, but don’t give up hope: soon every bird in town will be flocking to your bird buffet! (Also, don’t forget to replace your feed before it goes stale, even if the birds haven’t eaten all of it).

To see all of our feeding station items in one place, click the link below. If you have any other questions about how to build a bird feeding station, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help!

Bird Feeding Stations