I hang the oriole feeder from a bracket on the fence because it, like the hummingbird feeder, has no draw for the ominpresent and clever squirrels. Everything else in my garden is hung from a pole and kept safe from squirrels by a very effective baffle. From this configuration you get up to four hung feeders and the amusement of watching squirrels and chipmunks try to figure out how to defeat the baffle. And fail.
These posts are acceptable but not the best. The best are set into the ground in cement, but that is beyond my skillset. Second best are screwed into the ground like augurs, but those tend to be pricey and out of my range. These poles are okay, though I’ve had to anchor both of them with ropes to keep them from listing. That said, they are sturdy and stay surprisingly clean given that birds sit on them all day. In five years, they have not rusted at all. The two arms are curved so the feeders never fly off in a wind, and yet not so curved that you can’t get a feeder with a too-small hook onto them by threading from the end.
Years ago, I had this type of baffle in metal. These are plastic and, when I received them, I was afraid they wouldn’t work. Well, they work wonderfully and, more, they are lighter and much easier to assemble on the pole than the metal ones were. Make sure they are snapped together tightly because for these – and the metal ones – a good gust of wind can send them sailing if they are not attached around all edges correctly. You’ll also need to hose them down. They collect trickles of white bird poo like ebony statues.
In order to make it impossible for all but the most althletic squirrel to jump to the feeders, I have placed the poles five feet from the fence, and try to keep furniture (particularly tables) at least four feet away. Never underestimate a rodent.
