Building a bird table

A bird table attracts birds from far afield, bringing the garden to life. They are easy to build and any scraps of wood can be used - in fact, rough wood is especially good as the birds can easily grip onto it.

Building a hanging table is simple and fun, but adding a roof provides birds with a landing platform for them to queue up on as they wait to feed, and also keeps rain and snow off the food.

Position your table within view of a window, but in an open site where birds have a clear flight path from the surrounding trees, bushes and fences. Do ensure that the chosen position does not provide shelter for cats.

Extra feeders, peanut holders and foods can be hung from the bird table, adding to their entertaining feeding activities. Also remember to put out fresh water, replenishing bird baths each day, especially during icy weather when they may freeze over.

The free-standing bird table is 30cm (12in) square, with two roof panels of 22.5cm x 35cm (9in x 14in), but could be made any size.

You will need:

• Sheet of external ply wood, cut to size
• Tape measure and rule
• Wood saw
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Two dahlia stakes approximately 3cm (1.25 in) thick
• Sandpaper
• Small nails and screws
• Post to mount table on
• Chain to hang table

Building a bird table

Hanging bird table

	1 Lay out the external quality plywood and mark out a base that is about 30cm (12in) square.
	2 Saw carefully down the lines to form the base. A sheet of ply will make several bases.
	3 Smooth down the edge of the base and other pieces of wood with a fine grade sandpaper.
	4 Cut four edging strips using dahlia stakes, leaving a gap at one corner to clear debris.
	5 Hold the edge strip in place using small nails hammered through the base from below.
	6 Support the hanging bird table with a chain held in place by a screw inserted at the corners.

Building a bird table

Free-standing bird table

	1 Make four uprights 22.5cm (9in) long out of dahlia stakes, cutting one end to a 45° angle.
	2 Gather the pieces: the base, as used for the hanging table, roof panels and four uprights.
	3 Fix the uprights rigidly to each corner by screwing up through the base into the wood posts.
	4 Hammer a post into the soil. Attach the table to the top with a round headed screw.
	5 Join the roof panels at a 90° angle by nailing through into a 35cm (14in) length of stake.

Related links:

• Find out more about wildlife
• Make a bird cake
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds [an error occurred while processing this directive]