Any tips on attaching branches to / near feeders?

I just put in a 4" X 4" X 8' post that is holding 4 feeders. Any cool straps or gadgets that can be attached to the post to hold a branch or two? Or a way to mount small branches to the bottom of a feeder?

My Advanced Pole System (http://www.wbu.com/pro​ducts/aps/) setup has 2 branches that are held in place using zip ties. It works holding the 4-5' branches, but over time rotates. Not a big deal as I just rotate it back every few days, but I am looking for a more secure way to mount branches.

Open to any ideas. Thanks for any input

I've used 2 inch PVC pipe cut to about two feet long. I cut one end at a 45 degrees to aid in driving it into the ground. These are nice for being able to move around and rotate for the right angle. Just chisel down the branch/perch to fit the top opening and wedge it in tightly after you've driven the pipe into the ground. You can buy different diameter PVC to allow for larger or smaller branches.

Note: If the perch is a bit wobbly in the pipe, wedge some wood or large nails between the perch and the pipe to firm it up.

I have a feeder on my fence. I cut a scrap piece of wood and same size as the post 4"wide x 4" long and screwed it to the fence close to the feeder and drilled a 3/8" hole in the block I screwed to the fence.

Then I simply cut a tree branch down to fit tightly in the hole. I can now change the branch/twig very easily.

Works quite well

Leon

I just nail small branches to the 4x4 posts near my feeders. Why not do the same?

If I were using a 4x4 I would then drill a hole at the correct angle, diameter, height, insert the branch and using a black sheet rock screw to keep it from moving if it were to come loose.
More easily done for me, I cut Cedar trees, let them dry and age during the summer months, the needles fall off and I like to peel the bark away on some of them, then I set the tree in the ground as if it were a post. Many limbs have to be trimmed away or the birds seem to always be behind a branch, can't give them too many options because they will use them.
Last winter my best set up was a Cedar tree just lying on the ground on it's side, with feed underneath it. The birds preferred this method 95% of the time over other feeders only a few feet away.

I use tall branches and stick them directly into the ground, and I have also used wire to attach them to a post or one of the metal shepherd hooks. Just wrap it around the branch and the post in a couple of spots. The challenge is picking the perfect branch!

teekay wrote in post #15996217
I just nail small branches to the 4x4 posts near my feeders. Why not do the same?

Wife also mentioned nailing the branches. With the branches being temporary as they will rot and/or break, I do not want to have a bunch of holes or nails in the post.

Grizz1 wrote in post #15997131
I cut Cedar trees, let them dry and age during the summer months, the needles fall off and I like to peel the bark away on some of them, then I set the tree in the ground as if it were a post. Many limbs have to be trimmed away or the birds seem to always be behind a branch, can't give them too many options because they will use them.
Last winter my best set up was a Cedar tree just lying on the ground on it's side, with feed underneath it. The birds preferred this method 95% of the time over other feeders only a few feet away.

I have done this with a piece of wood which looked to be infested with bugs. My angle from the window is too high as the house is elevated, but I have started shooting from the porch which will allow a better POV for on the ground shots.

SJC from VT wrote in post #15997872
I use tall branches and stick them directly into the ground, and I have also used wire to attach them to a post or one of the metal shepherd hooks. Just wrap it around the branch and the post in a couple of spots. The challenge is picking the perfect branch!

I have branches stuck directly in the ground which works nicely. My favorite is still to have the branch horizontal to the ground at about the level of the feeders.

I am thinking chicken wire or a similar mess may do the trick

Thanks to all for the feedback

Using a cheap tripod has been what I have found to be most effective for most feeder and nest situations. Just attach the perch to the handle and adjust the tripod so that the angle of the branch is how you like it.

These tripods can be found at yard sales for $2 or $3, or you can buy a new one at WalMart for about $19.

Just make sure that the branch you use as a perch has a water supply at the cut end; otherwise, the leaves and flowers will dry out, wilt, and sag. Imagine a dozen roses in a vase with no water - in just an hour or two they start to look terrible. Same thing with bird perches.

You'll soon find that you spend hours every day searching the woods and the streets for the "perfect perch". Then when you find good perches, you come home with a car full of water bottles, buckets, and branches. This type of bird photography gets very addictive and time-consuming.

^^^^Very creative Tom, and beautiful Bluebird photo as a result.

^ ^ ^ I credit Alan Murphy with the tripod idea. He was the first to publish the method, although undoubtedly hundreds of bird photographers were using tripods like this long before he released his ebook.

Near your feeders is a good idea. The problem I had with branches on the feeders themselves is attracting starlings and grackles. They run off the songbirds.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #16027662
Using a cheap tripod has been what I have found to be most effective for most feeder and nest situations. Just attach the perch to the handle and adjust the tripod so that the angle of the branch is how you like it.

These tripods can be found at yard sales for $2 or $3, or you can buy a new one at WalMart for about $19.

Just make sure that the branch you use as a perch has a water supply at the cut end; otherwise, the leaves and flowers will dry out, wilt, and sag. Imagine a dozen roses in a vase with no water - in just an hour or two they start to look terrible. Same thing with bird perches.

You'll soon find that you spend hours every day searching the woods and the streets for the "perfect perch". Then when you find good perches, you come home with a car full of water bottles, buckets, and branches. This type of bird photography gets very addictive and time-consuming.

Good advise Tom, simple yet effective...

Awesome advice on using the flowered branches!! Definitely a way to spice up my plain jane branch photos! Thank you for sharing