Bird Tables

Bird tables come in all shapes and sizes but are usually either open or roofed. Roofed bird tables help to keep the food dry, provide some protection from aerial predators but may prevent some larger species of birds from feeding from them due to the height restriction. To encourage a wide range of sized birds to your garden an open top bird table is best.

Bird tables are usually mounted on a single posts, short legs or be suspended by a chain from a bracket. Bird tables mounted on a single posts is the more common design bought, as are also bird tables which can be hung from a chain. These bird tables allow you to view the birds from you house as well as provide great places for birds to feed from. However, some ground-feeding species, like the Dunnock, may be deterred from using the bird tables which are higher of the ground.

A ground feeding bird table, which is usually an open table on short legs, should encourage even the most shy of ground feeders to feed. Some of these bird tables have a fine wire mesh base rather than solid wood or plastic so that water drains away and prevents the food from becoming too soggy.

Bird tables should have edges to prevent any food from blowing away, and gaps in the corners to allow you to clean the bird table of stale food, debris and droppings.

Many 'garden birds' have become reliant on bird tables for feeding, as well as the rest of the garden. It is important that our bird tables are well looked after and regularly stocked with seeds and bird food. 

Bird tables can be bought from www.gardenersheaven.co.uk