Long ago, and far away, in Midland, Michigan, I was impressed by some members hanging suet from lilac bushes during the cold season. The lilac bushes were popular for blooms in the spring and birds in the winter.
Alas, suet is more difficult to find in these grim days than rubbing alcohol or a sense of humor. But the natural bird feeder is still a great idea, since squirrels have figured out every expensive man-made device. Squirrels are expected to graduate from M.I.T. - the Mammalian Institute of Treachery.
To watch feeding birds, we have to lay aside all hatred of squirrels and try to outsmart them. The small bush is an inexpensive, attractive, and useful bird feeder and rest.
Tiny birds - like chickadees and goldfinches - enjoy perching safely. That involves using a slender branch strong enough to hold them but nothing larger. Knowing this, years ago, I dug in a Crepe Myrtle several feet away from the kitchen sink window. I also doted on it, noting that repeated use of stored rain put it ahead of Myrtles planted at the same time.
Now I have tiny branches holding tiny birds just outside the kitchen window. They are not clever thieves like the squirrels, but wise in the use of physics, plane and solid geometry, weights and measures. Squirrels are all "What's in it for me?" and never bother with any depth of learning.
Tiny birds are fearless. They realize courage is indirectly proportional to their size. Crows will flee for safety at the first sign of human movement, but hummingbirds will fly back and forth through a garden hose spray to get their daily shower.
Crows shout out hoarse warning cries when they spot humans, but smaller birds chirp cheerfully and gather when they see someone known for feeding them.
