Carl wrote: >where can I buy a cheap bird table or how can I make one easily
Hi Carl, I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but I did a quick search and found these instructions: Some birds prefer to eat seed off the ground rather than perching on the rungs of a tube-feeder. Sparrows and cardinals are examples of birds who fall into this category. To feed them in a yard also occupied by cats, dogs and kids, build them a bird-table that can be hung out of reach of all except hungry birds. This is a simple carpentry project that's especially fun to do with children. Difficulty: Easy Instructions Things You'll Need: . 1 piece Plywood, 1/4 inch thick (measuring 12 . inches long x 18 inches wide) . 1 6-foot piece Lathe (1 inch x 1/2 inch), cut in 4 pieces: 2 pieces 12 inches long, 2 pieces 17 inches long . 12-15 Brads, 3/4 inch long . 4 Medium Cup Hooks . 1 Brass Ring, 1-inch in diameter . 1 Large S-Hook (large enough to hang table on pole-bracket and thin enough to fit into chain-link) 1Bird Feeder Pole (with crook-bracket at top, 5-6 feet) . Hammer . Pliers . 5 16-inch Pieces of Med-Gauge Brass Chain (check in the store to make sure chain will fit cup-hooks, ring, and S-hook before you have it cut) . 1 Bag Bird Seed (sunflower or fruit/seed mix) Step 1 Lay out lumber strips to make a rim around the edges of your plywood. 12-inch strips will completely cover short sides of plywood, and 17-inch strips will cover the long sides. Step 2 Hammer brads into strips to attach them to plywood. If you are doing this with a child, teach him or her to hold the brad in pliers. Do the hammering yourself. This saves on mashed fingers. Step 3 Screw a cup-hook into rim close to each of the four corners. Step 4 Attach a piece of chain to each cup-hook. Once chain is attached, use pliers to bend cup-hook into a closed loop (so chain cannot pull off). Step 5 Use pliers and open the ring. Attach loose ends of chains, including the fifth piece of chain. Step 6 Holding bird table by the fifth chain, check to make sure it hangs level. Adjust where chains attach to ring, one link at a time. Once your table hangs level, close the ring with pliers. Step 7 Slip large S-hook onto end of fifth chain. Step 8 Mount pole in your yard, preferably close to trees or bushes that birds can use for "cover." Attach bird table, using S-hook. Add bird-seed and watch the fun. Tips & Warnings Don't be discouraged if it takes the birds a few days to find your feeder. They are likely to watch a new feeder from nearby cover until they are sure it is safe to approach. If your feeder is too close to trees, you may find it has turned into a squirrel-feeder. Remember that squirrels can jump 8 feet from anywhere. A store that sells feeders and seed will also be likely to have baffles; once you have studied them, you may wish to rig your own using wire, chain or s-hooks.
