Birdfeeders

Before spring arrives and birds begin mating and nesting, we should do what we can to make our yards a friendly place for them to raise their families. Of course, the first priority is to have a safe yard before attracting wild birds. If you have cats, keep them indoors if possible. If you have cats or other predators in your area, be sure to put feeders in areas that are so open and exposed that a cat cannot sneak up on birds. However, there must be nearby cover for protection from other predators. Trees and shrubs not only offer protection, but places to build a nest. If squirrels are not a problem, tube feeders, platform feeders, hopper feeders etc. can be hung right from branches. Particular species tend to nest at roughly the same height. Ground nesters will never build a nest in a treetop, but may sometimes build a nest in low shrubs. On the other hand, treetop nesters may sometimes build nests on branches only a few feet off the ground. A backyard should offer many different heights of trees and shrubs as well as hanging bird feeders at different heights. Tube feeders hung high in trees will attract different species from a platform feeder on the  ground.