| Bird Watching -- Building a Simple Platform Feeder |
From "DIY Bird Watching"
episode DBW-101 |
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One excellent method for attracting birds to your yard is with a platform feeder (figure A). These easy-to-build feeders attract a wide variety of species. Following are the materials and steps for building a simple platform feeder as seen in the program. Materials: Table saw and push blocks
Miter saw (alternatives: power saw or hand saw)
Metal screen, 12-1/2" x 18-1/2"
26" 1x12 board
36" 1x3 board
3/8" dowel
Measuring tape
Hammer
Cordless drill; 3/8" bit
Saber saw or jig saw
Nails
Clamps or vice
Compound level
Pencil
Safety goggles
Steps:
- Measure and mark the 1x12 board to make the cuts for the feeder elements (figure B). You'll need two pieces cut to 13" in length to form the end pieces or supports.
- Measure and mark the 1x3 to make cuts for two pieces, each of which is 18" in length. These will form the side pieces.
- With both pieces marked to indicate the proper measurements, make your cuts using a power saw or hand saw.
- To make the support legs that go on either end of the feeder, measure and mark locations 3" from each side on the 1x12 pieces. Then use the angled portion of a compound level to mark 45-degree angles for the wedge-shaped portions that will be cut out of the center (figure C).
- Once you've marked both pieces, cut out the angled sections using a jig saw ( figure D).
- To make the grooves in the sides that will accommodate the tray, set the fence on the table saw to 1-3/4" from the blade, and raise the blade to 3/8". Using push blocks to guide your stock, cut a 3/8" groove along the tops of both ends and both sides, approximately 1-3/4" from the top edge (figure E).
- Measure and drill a 3/8" hole at 6" and 12" along the length of the side pieces, underneath the groove you just cut (figure F). These holes will hold the dowels that will support the screen bottom of the feeder.
- Use nails to fasten the long side pieces to one of the end pieces, and insert the dowels between the side pieces (figure G).
- Once the dowels are in place, slide the screen down into the groove (figure H).
- Nail the second end piece to the side pieces (figure I).
- With the second end-piece fastened, the feeder structure is complete (figure J).
- Select a suitable location for your feeder, and fill it with mixed seed (figure K). It should take no more than a day or two for birds to discover the feeder and begin maing frequent visits.
RESOURCES :
A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Feild Guide)
Model: 0395740460
Author: Roger Tory Peterson
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
A Field Guide to Western Birds - Reissue Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
Model: 0395911737
Author: Roger Tory Peterson
Full title: A Field Guide to Western Birds : A Completely New Guide to Field Marks of All Species Found in North America West of the 100th Meridian and North of Mexico
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
Don and Lillian Stokes' website
Stokes Birds at Home
Website: www.stokesbirdsathome.com
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