Feeder Station Purchase Advice.

[fugglestone]

Hello.
Please would you advice me on the best Feeder Station for under £30.
I have been tempted by the RSPB Bird feeding station feeder pole £23.49 + £3.95 p&p.
This is also the height that I am after.
Is this a good buy or could you suggest others ?
Thank you.
Neil.

[Madmills]

There are a lot on the market and so can be quite baffling.

Things to note when comparing them are :

* That the spike into the ground is at least 12" long because any less makes it too unstable.
* That it has more than 4 'arms' to hang feeders from - you don't want to have to be buying additional ones (however, i did order some brilliant 'hooks' which will attach to any 1" diameter host), 6 'arms' i would call a minimum.
* That the main pole is an inch diameter - any less and it's too flimsy.

I usually recommend the Gardman brand, the Tom Chambers brand is another good one.
You definately get what you pay for but the former often is on offer in garden centres, so worth going to a few to see and compare what's available near you - actually, you could google it all i suppose !

I know your question is specifically about metal, shop bought feeding stations but don't forget that trees and woody shrubs can also be used for hanging feeders from
Don't forget also that siting stations is important close to trees and tall shrubs - birds need shelter/cover to dart into when danger's around.

[fugglestone]

Thank you for the reply Madmills.
I shall heed your advice and continue my search which is now in it's 3rd day.
The more I look the more confused I'm getting.
Best regards.
Neil.

[jaelen]

I'm looking to get a feeder station, too- the places I can hang feeders from trees here is limited, so I'd like something I could move about... that way the ground underneath can recover from having peanut bits dribbled all over the place. (yes, and guano.)

I think I need to go to a good garden centre and have look at them- just seeing them online can be deceptive. The Kingfisher one looks nice, too- but I think the Tom Chambers one is taller.

[RobinP]

If you have squirrels do not site it too near trees and bushes - the pesky varmints can jump up to 8'. You will also need a squirrel baffle or a 'slinky', both about £15.

Robin