Could those of you with feeding stations please advise on what is the best one to get for value for money? I keep seeing some for £7.99 and some for £9.99 but are these any good?
I've got a relatively small garden (and a husband who keeps complaining about the money I spend on feeding the birds!) and I am struggling to find more places to hang feeders etc and as I have one popular area in my garden, thought I would utilise this with a feeding station to attract as many new types of birds as possible.
However, I am loathe to part with my money unless I can get a good solid recommendation from you guys on which one is the best (especially as my husband will have a fit if I buy something that is rubbish and will need replacing again!).
I preferably want one that has a generous amount of hooks that I can hang feeders on (i.e. more than 2) and something that is easy to clean and very sturdy.
Could one of you lovely people please point me in the right direction? Thank you :)
My name is VeggieBirdLover and I am a bird feeding addict :D
Hi bluegemstone
There are lots of different feeding stations, and many members have their own personal preferences.
My current one is a Tom Chambers Ultimate, because I wanted to hang 4 hanging feeders from the top and take off the flat dishes that attract pigeons and starlings.
There have been many threads about feeding stations in the past, so I did a search and you can read them here
Best wishes Chris
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I think you have to be careful with cheap ones if you want it to last. I'm sure they are less stable and likely to fall over or break in a strong wind. They may also rust.
Personally, I love my Tom Chambers Ultimate feeding station. It includes a contraption for hanging netted fat balls, which is unfortunate, and I don't use mine. One of our other members (Ponty Cyclops I think) suggested using it for spiking apples and hanging in a tree.
I actually bought mine from our local garden centre, but you can buy them on-line from various places. This is the Tom Chambers website where you can see the range. http://www.tomchambers.co.uk/index2.php?id=17
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Thank you both :)
Hi Blue
Here is a link to Robert Dyas who are selling a bird table for £9.99 may be worth taking a look: -
http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/P~142282~Self-Assembly+Bird+Table
Sorry can't tell you how good they are as my son got my wife a different one for Christmas from our son but they didn't look too bad when i was in the shop.
Hope this helps..
Robert
I started with the cheapest Tom chambers stand but found it was not tall enough once pointed section was pushed in ground far enough to stop it being wobbly.
However I did like the fact that all hooks and trays were removable. As I result I bought two more and combined them to make two tall poles. As a result I have extra trays and hooks but they have been up 18 months and have remained in good condition.
In hindsight going for the most expensive option first might gave been cheaper but I happy over all.
Sarah
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bramble67/
I like my Tom Chambers one especially as Sarah says its traays are removable and that makes cleaning a lot easier. I also got an extra hook for mine too. I've got mine on a base so it's easy for MDH to move when moving and so I can move it around able to prevent build up under.
I've also got the RSPB 2 hook shorter one in my front garden, its not as robust but I did actually want a cheaper one that was short so it just sits under the top of my hedge, for what I wanted it's great but I don't think it would be for everyone
Lyndsey
I didn't get to be stupid by being blonde, I was stupid enough to pay to be blonde!!!
Thanks everyone, I'll probably get the Tom Chambers Ultimate ;)
Hi Sarah,
That's why I went for the Ultimate. I needed a very tall one because Lola the lense cap eating dog also thought she was some sort of starling when she was a pup, and was often seen clinging to my hangers when I had them on a lower station. The TC Ultimate cured her of that, and the little birds feel safer higher up off the ground. They think it's a tree.
I use a 7.99 pounds one, still going good!
'Dip a dee dah, dip a dee ay, we're not seeing any birds to-day...'
Unknown said:I preferably want one that has a generous amount of hooks that I can hang feeders on (i.e. more than 2) and something that is easy to clean and very sturdy
generous amounts of hooks... how about this?!
Gardman Bird Station Tree
what goes around comes around!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guyfrankland/sets/72157623175917620/show/