My household includes a cat or two, so extra measure was needed to ensure the little hummingbirds' safety. The shepherd's hooks are not tall enough. Placing a feeder high enough in a tree to be safe for the birds required climbing a ladder to get it down. So, this is what we came up with to get our feeders high enough to protect the birds, but allow us access to the feeders without getting on a ladder:
A black iron hook holds the feeder away from the house, allowing it free motion. We originally had a small pulley hanging from the hook, but the rope kept sliding off the side, jamming it up. So, we finally decided upon this rather large, white clothesline pulley. It does the job extremely well.
The rope is currently just tied to a nearby bench. When I want to lower the feeder, I just untie the rope and it gets lowered smoothly to my reach.
A hook allows me to take the feeder off for refilling. Then back on the hook it goes. I usually put the hook on the trellis while refilling the feeder. This insures it will not slide back up unintentionally. After putting the feeder back on the hook, a pull of the rope raises it up to a safe height for the hummingbirds. I then tie the rope to the bench again.
Pretty? Well, no, not really. But extremely functional. And easy. And the birds appreciate the food. I appreciate it's smooth, simple operation. It sure beats getting on a ladder!
How do you hang your hummingbirds feeders?
Great idea, Holley! I love watching hummers in my garden. I don't have feeders but I do grow a lot of plants they (and I) like.
ReplyDeleteWhat a contraption for your hummingbird feeder! We also have one in the backyard and you should see what I do to deter ants from going into it. :)
ReplyDeleteNow THAT is dedication. :)
ReplyDeleteI just hang mine on a shepherd's hook!
Masha - How wonderful! I guess I just like knowing where they will be!
ReplyDeleteHelen - haha - yes, it is a contraption! I have more of a problem with wasps than ants. Though, they can be determined when they find a free food source!
Hanni - I wish I could just put mine on a shepherd's hook. We have one very fast cat. It was either come up with something different or quit feeding the hummers. I voted for the contraption.
Job well done! Birds are so lovely in the garden too, hummingbirds are fab!
ReplyDeleteOh what an excellent idea! Thanks for a great tip!
ReplyDeleteI gave up on feeders because they would not visit them...they love the plants all over the garden too much more to go to any feeders I provided...now I put the pretty ones I have up as decoration..less mess too...
ReplyDeleteKelli - Yes, I love all birds, but the hummers are a little special, I guess just because of their small stature. If they were as big as crows, we probably wouldn't love them as much.
ReplyDeleteGardeningBlog - Glad you liked it. If you do something like this, I hope you can find something a little prettier than the clothesline pulley. It just worked great, so we didn't try to look any further for something more aesthetically pleasing.
Donna - I love that you have so many plants they don't need the feeders! Some of the feeders are really gorgeous. How nice you don't have to worry about filling them up!
You really solved a problem. Keeps the birds close too.
ReplyDeleteGWGT - Yes, it solved the problem for us. Now we feel good about feeding the birds, knowing they are safe from the cats.
ReplyDeleteI just can dream about little hummingbirds. I hope you get many coming to your feeder this year.
ReplyDeleteleavesnbloom - I usually just get a few. I'm thinking about putting up more feeders to hopefully attract more. They are really amazing birds!
ReplyDeleteHolley, what a great blog you have! It's still going to be another 2 months before our hummers return, but we and our cats always look forward to it. I also have to tell you that I'm deeply envious of your camellias - I think if I could have one tropical plant made hardy, it would be camellias.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about hummers that I just don't understand is how you see some people who have a dozen of the little buggers whizzing around constantly - I only get two or three over the summer, and they fight each other off! Oh well, better to have a couple hummingbirds than none at all, right?
Susan - thank you! The camellias are special to me. I am obsessed with roses and camellias. The rest I just love. :) I'm going to try putting out more feeders this year. Hopefully I can attract more. They return to the same place every year, so maybe the babies will start coming too and our numbers will increase. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Well done coming up with a solution! I'd much prefer that to a ladder.
ReplyDeleteI find everything about hummingbirds fascinating. We don't have them in Australia.
Mac - Sorry to hear you don't have them in Australia. They are quite interesting little things. I'm not afraid of heights, but I am afraid of falling, so I try to stay off a ladder as much as possible. I've heard of too many people having serious accidents while on a ladder.
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