How not to set up your feeding station
After two weeks of traveling, we came back to a bird feeding station that is completely overgrown with weeds. This is how your bird feeding station should NOT look:
Not only is this garden unsightly, it poses a potential hazard to birds. I am glad that we chose to let our feeders run out of seed before we left. We were no longer attracting any birds to our feeders before we even left. It is a perfect hiding place for the neighborhood cats to stalk up on my birds. Last year, we had a cat which laid in a small patch of flowers and kept an eye on the birdbath. Early this year, I chased off another cat with a cowbird she had caught in a similar manner.
Birds appreciate nearby brush where they can find shelter when spooked. It is important, however, to provide a feeding area clear of undergrowth so that birds have a clear view of approaching predators so that they have a better chance at escape.
Needless to say, it will be another day or two before we set up our feeders. We have some serious weeding to do!
birding, backyard birding, birdwatching, bird feeding, cats
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