Last Updated on April 13, 2008
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Here is a feeder Gary put together to feed the many mallard ducks that started coming in our yard a few years ago.  Basically, it's a pine box construction with a layer of window screen and cross pieces for support.  We found out that the ducks would actually climb into it to eat so more cross bracing was added.  2" x 3" blocks of wood on two sides act as legs to keep it up off the ground.
This is a covered platform feeder made from some scrap plywood and has asphalt shingles on the roof.  Dowels are used for the supports with window screen in the bottom to allow for drainage.  Gary cut 2" holes in some luan and put that underneath the screen to give the screen some extra support.  The squirrels like this feeder as much as the songbirds do and the roof helps keep the snow and rain out.  I sealed all the wood with a clear gloss polyurethane.
Fruit and Jelly Feeders
I've been wanting to attract more orioles to our yard, so I decided to make some fruit and jelly feeders.  I found some pictures online of different styles of copper feeders and came up with these designs.  I am pretty happy with the two jelly feeders, but the fruit feeder in the middle needs a little work.  I will most likely turn one of the sides around so there is a piece of fruit on either side (will help balance the feeder also).  I will post pictures later this spring of them hanging up outside and in use.  The beads are glass beads I found at AC Moore.  They are from a new line they are carrying and I thought they'd be a perfect accent.  They are red glass with shimmery copper swirls around them.  The copper started out as 3' lengths, but I think 4'-5' lengths are needed to get more of the look I am after.  I do not know the gauge of the wire, as Gary used some electrical wire he had and stripped the coating off of it.  I am estimating it to be between 12-8 gauge.  The smaller accent spirals were made with 18-gauge wire and accomodate the beads well.

Click on each picture to see the picture larger (just press your Browser's back button to return to this page).
Gary surprised me with this suet feeder designed specifically for woodpeckers.  I saw one like it in a catalog and it looked very easy to make. 

Gary started with a cedar 2x6 and the finished product is about 21" long, including the top.  He used some hardwire cloth we had and any sharp edges were hammered into the wood so they will not hurt anyone, or anything for that matter. 

Next winter, I will most likely make my own suet for this
feeder, but for summer, the store bought ones would be better since they don't melt.

In case you are wondering, this design allows the woodpecker to balance with his tail on the wood that is below the feeding area.  I am hoping if the woodpeckers are more comfortable eating, they will stay longer.

I may do a woodburning design on this in the future.  I just recently acquired a new tool and haven't had time to practice with it much yet.
Gary's latest creation is a new duck feeder to replace the one at the bottom of this page.  We used that one for two years, but the weight of all the ducks inside the feeder finally wore it out. 

This feeder should be much stronger. It sort of reminds me of a train car for the circus.  It's made of cedar.  The bottom is reinforced with hardwire cloth underneath the window screen with five cedar slats under that.  The roof should help keep the seed a little dryer as well as be enjoyable for the ducks.  I hope they like it.
Though we did not make this feeder, I wanted to share it with you as it would be easy to make.  It's made of bark and old wood / driftwood.  Gary mounted it to a maple log he had and I think it looks perfect in the garden.  I will be using it mainly for peanuts, fruits and mealworms as I do not want the birdseed to sprout in the garden.
This glass birdfeeder is made from a glass dish/vase, a relish tray and a candle votive.  The votive is glued to the center of the relish tray with Lexel so that the seed will come out the bottom.  I fill the main dish 3/4 full with birdseed, place the bottom on the dish, then flip the whole thing over and set in place.  I found this to be easier than drilling holes in the glass and using threaded rod and a wing nut.
Glass Birdfeeder made from discarded glass dishes.
This feeder utilizes a larger vase and I've glued a lamp shade to the bottom to elevate the feeder.  Again, I used Lexel and let it cure for a full two weeks before using it.

I will probably put fruit on the top of the feeder to attract more varieties of birds.

If you will be using the feeder out in the open, you will need to drill drainage holes in the relish tray to allow water to drain after a rain.  A diamond studded drill bit should do the trick, just make sure there is water in the dish while you are drilling to keep the blade and the glass cool so that the bit or the glass does not break.  Wear eye protection and a dust mask and make sure your drill does not fall into the  water.