| The Week - Saturday October 13 2001 wrote:
 Wild bird
house Made from aromatic red cedar, this stylish design is ideal for hanging
on either a tree or a wall. Small birds such as tits and nuthatches will
love it. Price: £8.49. Contact: 01268-413109;
www.thebirdtable.co.uk
Horizons- Issue 5. November 2002 wrote:
BIRD TABLES
A bird table will add variety to your bird feeding. Plenty of foods loved by
birds are difficult to feed in any other way, especially household scraps
like bacon rind, cheese scraps etc.. You could feed some of these on the
ground but a well-sited bird table gives added protection from cats. You can
also use bird tables as a handy support for nut or seed feeders. Bird baths
are both very useful for the birds and great entertainment for us! Birds
need to bathe to keep their feathers in good condition and will use a bird
bath for drinking and bathing even in the coldest weather.
The siting of your bird table is very important. If you put it too far away
from cover, the shyer birds will be reluctant to use it; too close to cover
and sparrowhawks and cats will both eat well! Birds bathing or drinking are
even more vulnerable, because bird baths are usually low to the ground. For
most of us, the sight of a sparrowhawk is one of the bonuses of bird feeding
but a bird eating cat, even if it's ours, isn't. Cats are very proficient
predators; they don't need help!
BIRD BATHS
Shallow water is essential for all birds; both for bathing and drinking. As
well as being good for the birds, the antics of bathing birds are great fun
to watch! Keep bird baths clean to avoid any risk of disease.
TREATS FEEDERS
Bird treats are just that - enjoyable, tasty (well, as far as we can tell
for birds!) and convenient. Modern packaging means that the food stays fresh
longer and is much easier and cleaner to handle. Treats can be fed on a bird
table or even on the ground but one of the purpose built feeders is
undoubtedly the best way of presenting them. They tend to last several days
and keeping them off the ground will help avoid problems with rats and other
pests. Treat feeders can be hung in exactly the same way as nut and seed
feeders; although some of the more open feeders, while excellent for the
birds, are best used in a sheltered situation where the treat won't be
washed away.
Try attaching a suitable treat feeder to the trunk or a large branch of a
tree, it can be a little fiddly but some of the birds who do not come
readily to free hanging feeders will thank you for it.
If you want to attract the widest variety of birds to your garden, it is
important to offer a range of foods and feeding opportunities. Start
sensibly though - you can spend a lot of money buying specialised wild bird
food that you may not need. A good starting point is to buy black sunflower
seed and peanuts to use in feeders and a mixed seed mix to use on bird
tables or on the ground. By using these foods in a variety of places
(including a few quieter areas for the less bold birds) you will attract
most of the species found in the majority of areas. As you gain experience
add some specialist seeds (niger, for instance) to broaden your garden's
appeal.
To keep your bird food in the best possible condition, keep it dry and away
from rats and mice. If you have to store a lot of food, plastic dustbins are
efficient and hold enough to feed a small army (or a large flock) of birds.
Feeding seed on the ground attracts a number of bird species that won't use
a feeder of any sort but any spare seed will attract mice and rats. To avoid
conflicts with the neighbours, feed on the ground in the morning and only
put down sufficient food for the birds to eat during the day, leaving the
ground clear by nightfall. To prevent disease, change your feeding area
regularly.
For all your bird needs and more advice log on to www thebirdtable.co.uk or
call 01268 413109
The Telegraph - Saturday September 29 2001
wrote:
WILD BIRD HOUSE
Made from aromatic red cedar, this box (right) will provide a home for small
birds such as tits and nuthatches. It costs £8.49, from the bird table
(01268 413109)
www.thebirdtable.co.uk
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