In the February/Marchissue story “Feed the Birds,” editor Konnie LeMay talks with bird expert Laura Erickson about feeding techniques for backyard birds. It’s not difficult to build your own feeder. A simple, tray-style bird feeder is recommended by Laura because it allows the seed to dry after rain and has less waste. A tube feeder can allow some seed to get moldy.

Creation of this style of feeder is straightforward. This model, made up on the fly by our own Jerry Johnson, took him about 20 minutes to complete.

• 4 1-inch x 2-inch boards, preferably cedar. Our model is 12-inches square, so two boards are cut to 12 inches and two cut slightly shorter to accommodate the width of the boards.
• 4 equal lengths of chain (size and length to your preference)
• 4 screws (to attach the chain to the boards)
• Small nails (to attach boards to each other)
• S-hook or another hook (to gather chain at top for hanging)
• Aluminum window fine mesh [screening] (sized to fit whatever the size of your square)
• Staples and staple gun (to attach the mesh to the boards)

Begin by attaching boards together in a square with nails.

Then attach mesh to bottom with staples. Be generous with staples to add strength.

Chains can be attached to the four corners by screw.

Gather chains together at top with S-hook, caribiner or some other arrangement.

Hang up in tree and spread seed in tray.

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