I have two of these feeders.  I have had one up for about a year now (We feed birds year around) and the one being reviewed here has been up for approximately 2 months now.  These two feeders are in addition to nine other feeders we have about the place.  We live on five acres which we have turned in to a bit of a bird sanctuary.  It is heavily wooded for the most part with a small orchard and garden on one side.  We also have a very, very large squirrel, raccoon and possum population.  While it is extremely difficult to count squirrels, I would estimate that we have at least 35 hanging about the place.  I like squirrels for the most part but they are a pain and it costs a lot of money to keep them fat and happy.  With our large number of oak trees, hickory and orchard fruit (in season) the little tree rats do quite well for themselves.

First, these feeders are quite easy to mount.  I have them both mounted on small tree stumps I have had to cut that were too near the house.  They are relatively easy to keep filled.  They are designed to discourage squirrels and so far both have been quite effective.  I have had no mechanical problems with them so far.  There are a couple of things to note and remember when using this particular feeder.  First; keep in CLEAN!  Each and every birdfeeder you own and use should be thoroughly cleaned frequently...very frequently.  These feeders are NOT water proof and the seeds in them will get wet and if you do not keep the wet seeds out they will gather mold and mildew.  Not only can this be deadly for the birds, it will eventually cause the spring mechanism to malfunction...the gunk will build up.  Maintaining bird feeders properly is a lot of work!

Secondly, if you have raccoons, be assured that a determined raccoon and absolutely destroy one of these feeders in very little time!  They can and will dismantle it.  Hey, a raccoon can dismantle a Sherman tank of there is food involved so a feeder...no feeder, stands a chance if they set their little minds to it.

Third, birds can be and are rather sloppy at times.  The spill seeds.  Due to the designed of this feeder, this wasted is at a minimum but still and all there is some spillage present which ends up on the ground and thereby attracting squirrels and other critters to the general area.  Not much you can do about this.

Forth, it took out birds a little over two weeks to get use to this particular feeder.  It was slow in attracting birds at first but once they "caught on" both feeders are as popular as the others we use.  Do keep in mind that birds react differently in different parts of the country, a fact we have noted after living in a great many parts of the United States.  This review involves country birds living in the Missouri Ozarks.  For all I know east and west coast birds may hate the thing....you just never know about such things until you give them a try.

Fifth, when you clean your feeder, use just a very, very, very small amount of 3 in 1 oil on the movable parts.  By doing this I have been able to avoid and mechanical problems.

This feeder, while possibly just a bit pricy, is very attractive and a pleasure to view.  We have been very satisfied with both of our feeders.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
I have two of these feeders. I have had one up for about a year now (We feed birds year around) and the one being reviewed here has been up for approximately 2 months now. These two feeders are in addition to nine other feeders we have about the place. We live on five acres which we have turned in to a bit of a bird sanctuary. It is heavily wooded for the most part with a small orchard and garden on one side. We also have a very, very large squirrel, raccoon and possum population. While it is extremely difficult to count squirrels, I would estimate that we have at least 35 hanging about the place. I like squirrels for the most part but they are a pain and it costs a lot of money to keep them fat and happy. With our large number of oak trees, hickory and orchard fruit (in season) the little tree rats do quite well for themselves. First, these feeders are quite easy to mount. I have them both mounted on small tree stumps I have had to cut that were too near the house. They are relatively easy to keep filled. They are designed to discourage squirrels and so far both have been quite effective. I have had no mechanical problems with them so far. There are a couple of things to note and remember when using this particular feeder. First; keep in CLEAN! Each and every birdfeeder you own and use should be thoroughly cleaned frequently... very frequently. These feeders are NOT water proof and the seeds in them will get wet and if you do not keep the wet seeds out they will gather mold and mildew. Not only can this be deadly for the birds, it will eventually cause the spring mechanism to malfunction... the gunk will build up. Maintaining bird feeders properly is a lot of work! Secondly, if you have raccoons, be assured that a determined raccoon and absolutely destroy one of these feeders in very little time! They can and will dismantle it. Hey, a raccoon can dismantle a Sherman tank of there is food involved so a feeder... no feeder, stands a chance if they set their little minds to it. Third, birds can be and are rather sloppy at times. The spill seeds. Due to the designed of this feeder, this wasted is at a minimum but still and all there is some spillage present which ends up on the ground and thereby attracting squirrels and other critters to the general area. Not much you can do about this. Forth, it took out birds a little over two weeks to get use to this particular feeder. It was slow in attracting birds at first but once they "caught on" both feeders are as popular as the others we use. Do keep in mind that birds react differently in different parts of the country, a fact we have noted after living in a great many parts of the United States. This review involves country birds living in the Missouri Ozarks. For all I know east and west coast birds may hate the thing.... you just never know about such things until you give them a try. Fifth, when you clean your feeder, use just a very, very, very small amount of 3 in 1 oil on the movable parts. By doing this I have been able to avoid and mechanical problems. This feeder, while possibly just a bit pricy, is very attractive and a pleasure to view. We have been very satisfied with both of our feeders. Don Blankenship
The Ozarks