-
Universal Seed Trays
If you adore feathered friends and wild bird feeding but hate the ground mess, seed trays are definitely the answer. Many tube feeders come with attached trays, which also serve as perches for birds to eat. Some tube feeders are available with optional seed trays for a few dollars more, it’s a great investment!The problem is that some feeders offer none. Hopper style feeders can still make a pretty good ground mess with which to contend. What to do? The SeedHoop! These have gotten wonderful reviews by the many folks who use them. Sturdy, universal seed trays that give you total flexibility on where and how they’re used. In 16 and 30-inch sizes, Seed Hoops are versatile enough for hopper feeders and the larger size can even be pole mounted. The large platform area of these seed trays acts as an additional feeder for birds who may not use the feeder itself. You can expect to see some new visitors when adding these innovative and high quality seed trays.
-
Try A Seed Tray for More Reasons Than One
The most obvious reason for utilizing a seed tray is to eliminate ground waste. For us humanoids, it’s the unsightly mess and sprouting weeds that are annoying. For birds though, it’s really a health issue. Wasted seed tends to mold, it gets dirty with birds’ droppings and it attracts other critters who can transmit disease. Many avian diseases are airborne and spread rapidly affecting much of the local bird population if the mess or dirty feeders are left unattended for long stretches of time. This is why maintaining clean bird feeders is so important.Adding a seed tray will pretty much eliminate this problem. There are a bevy of models from which to choose, including pole-mounted and post mounted. Hanging trays are used by attaching them to the feeder itself.
The other advantage is that a seed tray will attract more species of birds. Those who may not actually perch or eat from the feeder will find the platform area with spilled seed very inviting. Which brings us to the spilled seed itself and the savings in money spent on that seed. So, it serves more than one purpose to add a seed tray to existing bird feeders, as it creates a clean feeding environment and attracts more feathered friends!
-
Add Fruit Bird Feeders in Summer
Summer time is when migrating, tropical songbirds with vibrant colors head our way to North America. These gorgeous birds with sweet songs will grace your backyard if offerings are right. A birdbath is a must, as a fresh water source will attract more species any time of year. Most fruit bird feeders are versatile enough to use year round, by placing suet balls on them in winter. Nectar feeders, sans the lid may be filled with seed mixes, suet or mealworms in winter too. Some fruit feeders accommodate nectar and jelly, or nectar and fruit to entice a wider variety of birds.
And Orioles aren’t the only birds who enjoy fruit. Woodpeckers are attracted to apples and melon, while hummingbirds covet their nectar feeders. You’ll also attract Catbirds, Flickers, Cactus Wrens and even Chickadees by having fruit or jelly feeders in your yard. Butterflies enjoy fruit as well, a bit over ripe-but definitely not moldy. Try bananas, oranges, berries and melon to entice butterflies too. Many of the new fruit bird feeders are made of recycled plastics, with a much longer lifespan, they’re guaranteed to never crack, split or fade. So, before summer passes you by, place one of these versatile feeders in the garden and see who comes around to visit!
Birding Tips, Information & News
