Feeding Station Issue (1 Viewer)

[AvidReader]

Hi Everyone

My first post here & I need some help with a bird feeding station issue.

My garden has a slight slope to it & the feeding station tends to lean to one side & over time the pole breaks & I have to replace it. I've got a 4 prong stabiliser at the base & I've also tried putting in a straight metal pole at the side & attaching together to try & keep it straight but as the soil is quite soft, it has pulled that over too. Would a ground spike fixing be better to try than the 4 prongs as it wouldn't be spreading the weight over a sloping area? Or do I need something more robust?

Thanks in advance.

Have attached image for reference.

 

[delia todd]

I have a similar issue and have sort of solved it with a bungee cord attached to the fence.

No doubt others will also have some ideas for you.

A warm welcome to you, AvidReader, from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[AvidReader]

I have a similar issue and have sort of solved it with a bungee cord attached to the fence.

No doubt others will also have some ideas for you.

A warm welcome to you, AvidReader, from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

Hi

Thank you for the lovely welcome.

Unfortunately for me, it's not my fence plus it's not very robust & I'm not sure it would hold the feeding station weight sufficiently. Great idea though

 

[delia todd]

Well, do you have a shrub or tree near it? You could use that, even two bungees linked together if one isn't long enough.

 

[Harry Stottle]

Welcome.

Try levelling out the ground just under the pole and stabilisers, then put a weight (concrete block or slab) on the uphill side stabilser(s).

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. My bird feeder has a ground spike.

 

[AvidReader]

Well, do you have a shrub or tree near it? You could use that, even two bungees linked together if one isn't long enough.

Hi

No just flowers in pots (the soil is really terrible for growing plants where I am). The nearest tree is at the start of a small wood at the back & the squirrels would probably use it to 'zipline' down to the food

 

[AvidReader]

Welcome.

Try levelling out the ground just under the pole and stabilisers, then put a weight (concrete block or slab) on the uphill side stabilser(s).

Hi,

I did try to build the soil up a bit on the lower side so that it should naturally tip backwards but will have to give this a try too. Thanks.

 

[AvidReader]

Welcome to Birdforum. My bird feeder has a ground spike.

Hello

Do you find that it keeps it stable? Thanks.

 

[delia todd]

the soil is really terrible for growing plants

Yeah, same as me... the builders seem to have put a load of rubble to form a bank, I got a big strong guy to help, but we just couldn't hammer the spike down far enough. Bungee was the only thing we could think of at the time.

 

[Julie50]

I have a similar one I keep with our caravan. The ground in which I “pitch” it is varied to say the least! I use a metal spike - came with the feeder. But if the ground is soft I wedge it with bits of wood or stones between the soil and pole - if that makes sense? Often does not last for weeks, but also does no harm!

 

[Kits]

Hello

Do you find that it keeps it stable? Thanks.

Yes. It’s been in the ground for 20 years and remained upright.

 

[AvidReader]

I have a similar one I keep with our caravan. The ground in which I “pitch” it is varied to say the least! I use a metal spike - came with the feeder. But if the ground is soft I wedge it with bits of wood or stones between the soil and pole - if that makes sense? Often does not last for weeks, but also does no harm!

Thanks, I think I may have to try the ground spike to see if it sorts it.

 

[Yardenman]

I too had a feeder pole leaning problem due to soft soil. Even an 8'x3/4" black iron pipe set 2'deep would eventually lean. So I went to the local DIY store and looked at connections and short pieces of threaded pipe. I found pieces that allowed me to create a below-ground base with 12" pipes at opposite angles. I assembled it onto the base of the pole. Then I dug a 2' deep hole and buried it with garden stakes to hold it level while the soil settled.





It stands upright and level to this day. BTW, an easy way to tell if the pole is level is to just eyeball it against the side of a structure like a shed. And you may notice I have 2 baffles on the pole. The lower cylinder really stops the Evil Squirrels and the upper flat one assures it! I've never seen one get to the sunflower seeds.