Dear
Friends:
 What are J.J.'s
favorite feeders? Well, if you must know, he's been too busy to ask. With all the
"big box" shops opening throughout the area he's been busy promoting the virtues
of independent businesses and lending a helping hand to shoppers who've been abused by
lack of service, selection and far too many substandard, cheap quality imported products.
"It's a big job," J.J. says, "but someone has to do it." (Not familiar with J.J.? Here's
his story » )
So we'll have to go by our own experiences to address that question. My
husband Mike & I have 8 - 10 assorted feeders around our home. Some are seasonal, many
are new designs that we are testing. But of our current collection there are five feeders
that we consider to be essential equipment. Best-of-class. Here's a quick
rundown of those 5 and their primary attributes; each is made right here in a greater US of A:
Droll Yankees PK -
holds a lot of seed, durable, and so dang easy to clean (can be broken down in 5 minutes
or less). After a dozen years of service, this feeder looks nearly brand new. Of course
it's mounted on a pole with cylinder squirrel baffle.
Fly-Through by Backyard
Nature Products - it's a "gossip center" for birds - the wide open design is
attractive to all species of birds. Again, it's baffled and pole mounted to protect it
from squirrels & raccoons.
Vari-crafts Bouncer - we've hung
two of these side-by-side on a baffled pole (to balance weight) and the feeders are
constantly busy with small perching birds up to the size of a Northern cardinal. Larger
birds just do not bother any longer - and the feeder's design is squirrel proof.
Aspects medium thistle/niger feeder
with tube topper, which really does help keep seed dry, on a baffled pole - we love the
simple design, ease of cleaning, and good seed capacity.
Holland Hill's 3-tube
hummingbird feeder - birds are really attracted to
the free form shape, and the simple glass vial reservoir for nectar.
Louise Dawson
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