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As a Georgia Master Naturalist , I ’ve spent years cultivating my home landscape to appeal and stand wildlife . Two cardinal section of that process — instal habitat plants and building water features — provide the most important benefit for birds and animal . A third focus area , establishing feeding station , gives me the atonement of really seeing the critter as they enjoy an easy meal . Over time , I have tested more than 50 bird bird feeder as my needs have evolved , and some have give in to the constituent ( or squirrels ) or simply did n’t work as well as I had hoped . The good bird feeders efficiently dispense bird food for thought , protect it from spoilage and cuss , and minimize spills and messes . They also offer a clear view of feeding birds . TheWoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel - resistant wench feederis a cracking exemplar that I latterly add to the mix .
WoodLink manufactures and markets a wide assortment of bird feeders , birdhouses , and other bird - touch on production . Its oblation let in product made of by nature rot - repellent cedar , recycled credit card , chalk , and metal . After more than 35 years in surgical process , it is one of the most trusted razzing self-feeder makers in the United States . WoodLink fowl feedersare uncommitted for leverage online and in stores across the country .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
In this review , I will detail my experience testing the Heritage Farms squirrel - resistant feeder and why I think it is one of the best dame bird feeder for cardinal number and other songbirds . But first , here ’s a warm overview of the product .
WoodLink Heritage Farms Squirrel-Resistant Feeder: At a Glance
Rating:4.8/5
SPECS
PROS
CONS
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What is the WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder?
WoodLink offer all kinds of bird feeders and birdhouse , including species - specific and general - use models . TheHeritage Farms squirrel - tolerant feederis a hopper - stylus eater that back up all sort of cum - have a go at it songbird . This directive feeder , with perch and feeding ports only on the front side , holds about 9 British pound of birdseed .
The Heritage Farms feeder is made of powder - coated steel for protracted weather protection . It include a locking palpebra and weight - raw perch to assist keep squirrel out . During a calendar month of examination , I observed dozens of bird species feed on the Heritage Farms eater , including cardinals , jays , finches , sparrows , doves , chickadee , titmice , towhee , and others , but I did not see a squirrel infract it .
In recognition of its easy - to - use nature , long-wearing construction , efficacious squirrel protection , and splendid profile , our testing team distinguish this model thebest bird feeder for carmine . It appealed to a much more diverse wild bird universe in my neighbourhood . Ahead , I ’ll offer my observations and explain why this feeder deserve consideration as part of any fowl feeding post .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Durable Squirrel-Resistant Construction
Some backyard birder are attracted to wooden eater because of the natural materials . Others like the idea of buy recycle charge plate because it is more weather condition - resistant than wood and concentrate landfill waste matter . TheWoodLink Heritage Farms feeder’spowder - cake steel construction is possibly even more weather - resistant than plastic since it is imperviable to ultraviolet damage . Plus , it has the added benefit of being chew- and claw - resistant . Squirrels can not damage the material .
The two key squirrel - proofing features , a latch palpebra and weight - sensible perch , worked extremely well in my grand . The simple cap latch mechanics , made up of two tabs that the user hug together to release , sustain securely and allowed for one - handed functioning . The adjustable counterbalance on the perch was factory installed at just the correct point to enable magnanimous songbirds like cardinals and blue jays to fertilise while closing affluent access to heavier squirrel .
Buyer’s Choice of Mounting Options
The feeder arrive fully assembled . It included both a hanger and a pole mounting angle bracket and pole . I opted for the magnetic pole mount arrangement , so I had to add the magnetic pole mount bracket with the four included screws , washers , and nuts , which take up less than 5 minute . Then , I installed the terminal by digging a 12 - in - rich hole , put in the PVC pole sleeve , and tamping soil around it steadfastly . I was able to insert the magnetic pole into the sleeve and rank the feeder atop the pole . The total metre for perch initiation was about 15 minutes , but I could have spent a little more clip to get the pole perfectly erect . It slants a few degrees but throw the affluent with no problems .
Hanging the feeder requires the exploiter to open up a couple of knockouts on either side of the hopper , insert the end of the telegram hanger into the slot , and immobilise the hanger in place . All of the hardware is included . I did not try this method acting , but I can vouch for the sturdiness of the hardware . Due to the heavy system of weights of the filled feeder , I advocate using a heavy - duty shepherd ’s sweetener for this bird feeder .
Easy to Fill
As I note above , the top door latch is easy to operate with one hand . Once released , the total ceiling of the feeder hinge up and stand firmly in home , still fastened at the front border of the roof . The opening is large enough to easy load feed straight from the semen bag , or you may employ a large scoop to get the job done tight .
If you ca n’t reach the top of the eater , no trouble . The rod mount socket is not fastened to the perch , so you’re able to simply move up the feeder off the perch . Those who opt for hanger climb have the same options — either fill it while it hangs or remove the bird feeder from the sheepman ’s hooking for filling . There is no need to absent the hanger loop .
Excellent Visibility
Bird eater allow a welcome meal for wild Bronx cheer that could habituate a little service , but I also want to see the birds that visit the feeder . Lots of bird feeder are design for maximum bird counting , which means they have openings on every side ; shuttle that land and eat on the polar side may go unobserved or unnamed . One of my favourite things about the Heritage Farms feeder is that it only has feeding ports on one side . That means I can place the feeder port for the honorable viewing and have a go at it that shy birds are not sneaking a meal unseen .
Is the WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder worth the money?
At about $ 70 , the WoodLink Heritage Farms affluent is neither the most expensive nor the bum bird feeder around . Its tumid size , durable building , and in effect squirrel - resistant feature article make it worth the price . Most comparably sized wooden and plastic raspberry feeders betray in the $ 40 to $ 60 price range , with little to no squirrel protection and moderate weatherproofing . Many pop squirrel - proof feeder made out of coated brand go for well over $ 100 . For the price , you’re able to confidently purchase this affluent and expect it to last many years .
Should you buy the WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder?
ensure you fuck whattype of bird feederis best for your yard ’s frequent fliers . If you are mostly interested in feeding hummingbird , warbler , woodpeckers , bluebirds , or other boo that are less subject on ejaculate , then this might not be your honorable choice . Some types of bird are only attracted to suet or nectar feeders , or they may prefer the receptiveness of platform or fly - through bird feeders . Those birds will rarely , if ever , eat on at a seeded player hopper . For that reason , it is a good thought to comprise several type of bird feeders at bird - feeding stations .
Among the endless regalia of razzing feeders , the WoodLink Heritage Farms feeder is more than just “ one more bird confluent . ” As a hoot feeder for seed - rust songbirds , it is a value pick that offer up a thoughtful combination of adaptability , ease of manipulation , strength , and protection from squirrel . It ’s also one of the best feeders around for the simple pleasance of watching birds . Backyard bird counters and chick lensman will specially appreciate that — I know I did .
Where to Buy the WoodLink Heritage Farms Squirrel-Resistant Feeder
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscape gardening industry . He ’s also a Georgia Master Naturalist . For more than 20 year he mop , adjoin , embed , pruned , cultivated , irrigated , and renovated beautiful landscapes for a living while he turned his own yard into a wildlife oasis . Now he tests and write reviews about the latest outdoor big businessman equipment , hand tools , lawn forethought production , and other outdoor support goods .
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Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
