DIY Apple Feeder

[Gord]

While I was feeding the birds over the holidays I was thinking about the Varied Thrushes and robins. They would soon be around looking for food especially if we get some snow on the ground. Usually we offer half apples and raisins soaked in water for these guys because they don't like to eat seeds. The giant squirrels that lurk around the yard complicates this process however. It's not uncommon to see one bounding joyfully off to its lair with half an apple in its mouth. Apples are not cheap (but then not much is cheap in my opinion). A solution needed to be discovered.

Then suddenly, exactly how all bad ideas and sometimes even some good ones come to mind, I had a thought. I considered using a piece of dowel or stick through a board that could hold the apple in place. But underestimating squirrels isn't a wise idea, and, to be honest, I was hoping to add an element of gimmick to my idea. Simply using a stick would fall a bit short of achieving a wow effect. Duct tape was surprisingly not a tool needed for this project I mused as I thoughtfully pawed around in big coffee can that holds my screws and bolts. The outcome from a short rummage in the coffee can resulted in this little unit which met both outcomes of keeping the apple in place and also looking rather clever on my part.

Steps to build my Thrush Apple Feeder:

Get a plank and drill some holes in the bottom just big enough to allow the bolts to fit through. I used a 3/4" thick piece of ceder about 5" x 18" in size.

Image13 by Gord G, on Flickr


Find some bolts about 4" in length and run them through from the bottom.

Image14 by Gord G, on Flickr


Impale half an apple through and use a small washer and nut to hold the apple in place. Nothing is more impressive to answer the query "how do you keep the apple on the peg?" than by proudly saying "I bolt it down".

Image15 by Gord G, on Flickr


Lay out near the bushes where the thrushes like to hang around.

Image11 by Gord G, on Flickr

You can even spread some leaves over it to help it blend in a bit

Image12 by Gord G, on Flickr

It works great!

Dsc_0645 by Gord G, on Flickr


I suppose there's really no limit on how big this feeder is. While possibly a bit excessive a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood could be used with bolts spaced about 10" apart to feed large flocks especially if robins come around. That set up would be quite the sight and also maybe a bit unsightly. Sure to be met with disapproval by spouses and neighbours.

I also impaled some smaller extra pieces of apple in a tree which also was quite popular.

Dsc_0749 by Gord G, on Flickr

Some background on the thrushes and robins as I often get a few questions about them

Varied Thrushes are year-round residents but prefer the mountains and forested areas. During snow and cold weather they will come to lower elevations and explore looking for food. We leave our leaves in the garden rather than rake them up. The thrushes like to paw around in the leaves looking for worms and other food sources. The apples and raisins are appreciated during the snow that covers the ground. I have seen them eating pieces of suet that fall from the feeder when the woodpeckers are hammering away at it. The odd one will try to feed on the suet block as well. American Robins are similar to the thrushes in terms of offering food for them. Most robins will migrate for the winter but it's common to see flocks that are overwintering in the Lower Mainland. In milder winters they have no problem finding food but will struggle a bit when we get ice and snow.

Male Varied Thrush

Dsc_0769 by Gord G, on Flickr

Female Varied Thrush

Dsc_0811 by Gord G, on Flickr

[gabi]

So great Gord - you are a very generous and thoughtful birder - the birds are in good hands with your invention. I have noticed a lot of Varied Thrush in my small back yard too. I have actually been surprised at how often, during this very cold and snowy weather, they have been both at the feeder and at the suet. I have one picture (not so great since i took it through the window) of a thrush, a flicker, and a male and female red-winged blackbird all at the feeder at the same time. They often come up on the deck too to pick up the dropped morsels. Lots of entertainment for sure. Thanks Gord.
Gabi

[Gord]

Thanks, Gabi

[expiallyd]

I think that in our yard the squirrels would monopolize the feeder, even if the apples were bolted down. Am I missing something ingenious that keeps them away?

Anne

[Gord]

Anne, sadly no. So far it just prevents them from taking off with the apple; possibly allowing the birds more of a chance to eat it. We don't have too many squirrels around our yard happily.