Bird Stations

Watching birds in your outdoor environment is both fascinating and relaxing. Add a decorative touch while looking after your feathered friends with these delightful feeders made from cups, mugs, and bowls.

1 Paint the saucers and poles in a variety of colors. Envision how they will work with your cups and bowls, when choosing your colors, and try matching or contrasting the colors of the saucers and poles. Leave to dry and then add a coat of marine varnish, if you like, for extra protection against the elements.

«-Project Steps

2

Drill a hole in the base of each of your seed holders. This will help rainwater to drain away so that the birdseed doesn’t get too waterlogged. Make a masking-tape cross where you want to drill for a clean finish and to prevent slipping.

3

Apply several dabs of glue to the base of each cup or bowl and stick them in place on the saucers. Don’t glue all the way around—this will allow water to drain out easily.

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Insert the poles firmly into the ground. Support them with bricks or large rocks if they still feel a little loose.

**4 Care Advice

* 1 .

‘Where to site The ideal location for your bird feeders and bath is somewhere quiet so the birds won’t be disturbed, relatively open and sunny so that they have a good field of vision, but also near a large shrub or other plants where they can hide from predators. Several feeding stations allow smaller birds lower down in the pecking order to grab a meal.

General care Clean out feeders and remove any debris regularly, particularly after long spells of wet weather. Use a cloth to clean the inside of the feeder and water bowl. Change the water in the bowl frequently.

Seedcake Hangers for

Updated: October 16, 2015 — 5:00 am