Platform bird feeders

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 9:22 pm Post subject: Platform bird feeders

This is an snippet about a different type of bird feeder than the ones we are used to, a bird platform. Smile

Platform Bird Feeders
By Pam Caouette

What are platform bird feeders you may be wondering and what is their purpose with feeding birds? Well to put it simply a platform bird feeder is designed for birds who like to eat bird seed off of the ground. Platform bird feeders can be places slightly above ground, or the can be mounted off a deck a tree or a stump. You can also order a platform pole mount to mount your platform bird feeder on a pole.

The main difference between hanging bird feeders and platform bird feeders is that with a hanging bird feeder the bird seed is dispensed through a crack or a small opening in the bird feeder. With a platform bird feeder the bird seed is placed on a platform, or a plate and the birds peck the food from a pile or scattering.
With a platform bird feeder, or a tray bird feeder the birds that are attracted depends on the seeds.

Pam Caouette is the lead author for http://www.aplusbirdfeeders.com Buy the bird feeder that will complement your back yard.

frank · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject: Platform bird feeders in Ireland

I think that this is a great idea as some of the hanging bird feeders are not 'large-bird friendly'. In fact what I have done in the past is to place a hanging bird feeder on the ground rather than hang it. This way it acts as a platform bird feeder of sorts Cool

Thanks for this article GPI.

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

I have lots of various types of bird feeders in my garden but the biggest attraction are the birdbaths . Today in Dublin in my back garden the temp is 24 degrees c. and the sparrows are making the most of them. The sparrows sit
on side of our deck ,4 feet away feeding their young , totally oblivious to us . They prefer seed scattered on the ground but have managed to adapt to the nut feeders we have left out for the other species .
Cool

Bugs

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:47 pm Post subject: watching birds on my feeders

Birds are so entertaining.
I have three hanging bird feeders to be viewed from various parts of the house and garden.
I always get excited when a new bird appears on one of the feeders, I view for a while then rush for my books or pc to check up on the bird type.
Learning as I go along.

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

Since I last posted on Wed. the sparrows happy go lucky attitude has changed considerably . Laughing

At first we had one family , then two , them three we ended up with about 25 birds in total all having great fun . Yesterday their lives changed considerably the Sparrowhawk arrived Rolling Eyes

, so far its 3 nil to the Sparrowhawk , The speed he comes in at is amazing , we have lots of cover in the garden and when the Sparrows hide its takes at least a 1/2 hour before they come out again after an attack . Needless to say we are still feeding the sparrows for this slightly perverse orm of entertainment .
Cool

Bugs

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject: Sparrowhawk in Bugs Irish garden

Its like a modern back garden form of gladiator combat with Bugs as a modern day Ceaser. Laughing

Heres a pic of a Sparrowhawk, so all members can get a idea of what they lok like.

Bugs, It would be great at some stage if you could take and post a pic of the Sparrowhawk caught in the act.

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

Because of the speed of the attacks it would be impossible for me to take a picture with my camera . I've been reading up on the subject and what appears to happen is that from the air he singles out his target and ignores all other birds in the flock and then swoops on his prey , the whole thing is over in milliseconds . Its not just sparrows he attacks but over 100 different species of small birds .
Cool

Bugs

Tom · Hazel Tree Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 42

The sparrowhawk looks CLASS. Never seen one i real life myself. I wouldnt like to be in his way when he swoops into your garden.
Do you have any particular plants or trees that attract them. where do the nest

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

James Kilkelly, was GPI.

Even though birds will eat mostly anything you put out for them, I find they love the following....

peanuts
raisins
museli (maybe spelt incorrect)
sunflower seeds.

hawthorn · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

i have noticed that the robin isn't so fond of the hanging feeders especially the peanut ones. he comes over for a look at all the other birds feeding but he never jumps on himself, but he is more of a ground feeder. the platform feeder is probably a good idea as the hanging seed feeder is not so good as the tits have it emptied in minutes. there only after one type of seed and discard all the others, so all your seeds are on the ground in minutes. so that platform feeder would be a good idea, and a lot easier for the sparrowhawk to get his prey...... Sad

well maybe not if it had a roof on it.

Sb · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:

how about a hanging bird feeder above a platform bird feeder. Anything that drops from the hanger is then made available for the ground feeders on the the platform feeder . Smile

jashar99 · Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 40 Location: Mayo

it is strange, just yesterday I put out 2 bird feeders, after having them empty in the shed since winter, i was amazed to see the response. The seed mix is particularly appealing to the smaller birds compared to the peanuts as pointed out. At times therehave been over 20 birds in the back garden. I used to just put food out over winter, but seeing the mix of small birds including robins as mentioned above, i will try and keep itgoing all year. The pictures of animals and birds in the garden that have been added lately by members are lovely to see

hawthorn · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

Ya hanging the seed feeder over the platform feeder would be a good idea, providing the platform feeder doesnt have a roof on it as most of them do. I have seen the seed feeders with the little saucer attached at the bottom, not sure if they are any good.

Sive · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:13 am Post subject:

I was privileged to have regular sightings of a sparrowhawk in my previous garden in suburban Dublin (Blackrock)...she even used to perch long enough for me to enjoy her magnetic beauty through my binoculars. Luckily, I had so much cover in the garden that I never actually saw her pluck a bird from my feeders!
Incidentally, if anyone has recently started feeding birds and enjoying watching them, you can have even more fun by doing the Birdwatch Ireland winter bird-count.
I've done it for a few years, and it is really good fun. I'll remind you all about it in the autumn!