Birdfeeders

So you have a bird feeder and have noticed the increased bird traffic in the yard. Now it is time to add more bird feeders and actually have a feeding station. What are the things to consider at this point? Planning a feeding station is much like planning a garden - it is truly an individual project based on your likes and dislikes. Start with deciding what kinds of birds you want to attract in the area you live in. Are you perfectly happy attracting the birds that eat black oil sunflower seeds, or would you also like to attract maybe fruit eaters like tanagers and waxwings? How about nectar eating birds like hummingbirds and orioles? If you want a large variety of birds, then the best approach is do put out various types of feeders at different heights. Then there are style choices. In most categories, there are functional, inexpensive feeders, but also quite attractive feeders that also serve as yard decorations, such as the copper top bird feeders. Then the placement of feeders needs to be addressed. What is the best place in the yard for bird feeders? It should be near trees and shrubs for protection, but also convenient to fill and clean the bird feeders. Near a water faucet is nice, but not necessary for cleaning the feeders and filling bird baths. How much time do I want to spend maintaining clean feeders and what is the budget for purchasing feeders and seed?  If you are adding feeders near a common viewing area, it might be worth adding a beautiful copper top bird feeder instead of an inexpensive plastic one. These are all considerations to review before expanding a feeding station.