It's chow time -- at the bird feeders, that is Don't believe me? See for yourself at the FeederCam!
Fall means garden activities per se slow down a good bit, but it doesn't mean all activity in the garden stops by any means. Our fine feathered friends are actively searching for food and while gardeners may purposely plant "habitats" for birds rich in sources of food and shelter, many of us also set out bird feeders for the duration of the cold weather.
From a design aspect, feeder placement is fairly simple. Put it where you'll be able to see it. That means visible from a spot where you spend a lot of time -- perhaps out the kitchen window, perhaps visible from the telephone, then and again perhaps visible from your favorite easy chair.
From a practical aspect, feeder placement is also pretty simple. Put it where you can get to it easily because you will need to refill it and clean it out. Somehow shoveling a path to the bird feeder seems a bit too much like work to me. Bird watching is purely a spectator sport -- or should be!
From a horticultural aspect, feeder placement is a bit dicey. As a friend once pointed out to me, "We all know nothing grows under the bird feeder!" Apparently some seed hulls, especially sunflower, give off a toxin which inhibits plant growth so that it is in fact quite possible that nothing will grow (or at least grow well) near the feeder location. So keep that in mind, too, when you decide where to put your feeder.
Back yard bird fans seem to start in all innocence with one feeder, but soon those who become hooked quickly add more. Keep that little tip under your hat too -- just in case.
ENJOY!
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