Pole Feeder Station Puts More In One Place
Luckily, when I started out I did’t just drive to my local Walmart, buy any platform feeder with any flimsy pole and stick it up in my yard with any old crap bird seed mix. What I did was go to Wild Birds Unlimited and spoke with one of their people. They recommended the pole feeder station system I now have. It’s been in the ground since I started birding over 17 years ago. No, it wasn’t cheap and I’m sure that figured into the suggestion. However, as the years have gone by, I see why that was such a great suggestion.
Let me explain.
Feeder Station With Options
The pole feeder station system I still have in place is one that comes in removable sections so you can get the right height for your situation. It’s got arms that attach by sliding them over and thumb screwing them in place wherever you need them. I love this setup because it gives me so much flexibility to put up and take down feeders as I need to. Being able to make changes on the fly keeps your bird feeding offering fresh and interesting to the birds. Yes, they DO like it when things stay the same. Sometimes, “the same” is not attracting what you want. I make changes all the time and have gotten very good at predicting what will work and what won’t. This has been a huge factor in my success at backyard birding.
For instance, recently I’ve had a house finch eye disease episode. At the same time, a neighbor apparently called in all the starlings in the area with a crap seed mix. Being able to take everything down for cleaning is essential. Especially when disease is involved. The experimentation mindset fostered by my feeder station allowed me to try dried mealworms.
Guess how that turned out? The dried mealworms appealed to every bird except the pesky starlings and sickly house finches. Bingo! Having a station you can see it all in one place helps come up with these plans.
The Skinny
It doesn’t have to come from WBU. They’re just the only ones I know that make this solid a feeder pole complete with an auger pole and stabilizers for the base and all the solid steel hardware to go with it. The more feeders you can put up in one place the easier it is to clean up and the more birds you’ll get.
Don’t Have a Wild Birds Unlimited Near?
Here’s something I found on Amazon that I think will work fine. Not as well built but not as expensive either.
And if you have squirrels….
Jeff’s Note
I do not own these feeder station accessories. They both have decent reviews and ratings. Not everybody has access to a Wild Birds Unlimited and I wanted to give you an option to at least get started with.
Keep in mind the feeder pole system I use cost well over TWICE what this system does and didn’t even come with any feeders.
I hope this article has been helpful for you to select a pole feeder system. Leave me a comment below if you have any comments or questions. I’m ALWAYS learning.
Best,
Jeff
I’m fascinated with Squirrel Stopper Sequoia Poles! It is durable, lightweight, and weather-resistant. No matter how long it spends under the sun or rain, the quality of its finish remains the same. With this, I don’t need to repaint it because not even deep scratches can peel away this feeder pole’s fantastic paint job.
Hi Juliet,
It looks like a great product and has fantastic reviews! Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
How long have you been using one of these?
I’ll add it to one of Feeding Squirrels Successfully post mentioning you if that’s ok.
Jeff
I have been using it for almost a year, the base of this pole can be tricky to mount.
Hi Juliet,
Why is the base of the pole tricky? Does it not have a screw-like base for twisting into the dirt?
Jeff
I have one of these WBU poles set up on my patio and they are great. Very strong and durable iron pole and able to be fitted with a flat stand for patio or deck use. In addition to the two arms at the top, I’ve fitted mine with 5 natural branches and four artificial branches to hold more feeders and to give plenty of places for all of the birds to perch. It is more expensive than many cheaper things you can find elsewhere but it is much sturdier and able to be customized greatly. Here’s a video of my current pole setup as well as a quick overview of some of the other bird friendly parts of my yard:
https://youtu.be/BhbHVxah_cM
Hi Robert,
What a beautiful area and property you live in and on! I’m green with envy! Your feeder area is probably the most sophisticated and yet natural feeling I’ve encountered to date. Great work!
Thank you for stopping by and for the YouTube link. Keep them coming!
I’ll have to admit, I didn’t know you could patio mount those feeder stations but you’re right: you DO get what you pay for. Mine has been up for 18 years and I’ve only had to replace the stabilizer ring at the bottom because the hardware finally broke off.
I can just feel the restorative energy you must get just sitting and watching all those birds. The natural branches add a real nice touch too.
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff. It’s so true about the restorative energy. I can sit watching ‘my’ birds for hours. I saw your video with the Tufted Titmouse. That was amazing! I had one stare at me up close for a full 10 minutes with a mealworm sticking out of his mouth like a cigar. That was through a window this winter. Now I hope to make better friends with him this summer.
Hi Robert,
I make a daily habit of sitting outside with them, scattering some seed in front of me and seeing who gets brave enough to feed in front of me. Always titmice and chickadees. Some doves. It lets my mind wander and brings me back to the present moment.
Jeff