Bird table install in Exeter
Professional bird table install services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45-90 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bird table installed securely with level feeding platform. Traditional garden bird feeding station properly mounted and positioned - classic way to attract and observe garden birds.
The Classic Garden Bird Feeder
Bird tables are proper old-school bird feeding - none of your modern hanging feeders, just a simple platform where you can scatter mixed food and watch robins, blackbirds, and finches come and go.
But a bird table is only as good as its installation. Wonky platform? Food slides off. Wobbly post? Blows over in the first gale. Wrong height? Cats have a field day.
💡 Pro tip: Bird tables let you offer variety - seed mix, mealworms, fruit, kitchen scraps (not bread!), fat balls. Different foods attract different species, and you get to watch them all feed together.
Why Proper Installation Matters
Here's what separates a well-used bird table from a garden ornament:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Level platform, food doesn't slide off | Wonky, everything rolls to one corner |
| Deeply set post, wind-resistant | Blows over in autumn gales |
| Right height (1.5-2m), cat-safe | Low enough for cats to jump up |
| Near escape cover for birds | Too exposed, birds nervous |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Site assessment | Best position identified for bird activity |
| Post installation | Dig, set, and secure post properly |
| Platform mounting | Table attached level and secure |
| Stability test | Wobble test and final positioning check |
📦 You're Left With
- Bird table perfectly level
- Wind-resistant mounting
- Cat-safe height
- Ready for bird food
Pricing Guide
| Scenario | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple post-mounted table | 45-60 mins | £60 |
| Larger table or difficult site | 60-90 mins | £60-£85 |
| Concrete base (exposed sites) | +30 mins | +£25 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. More time needed for sloped or hard ground.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Traditional wildlife gardening - classic bird feeding method
✅ Variety of bird species - platform suits ground feeders
✅ Family bird watching - easy for kids to see and help with
✅ Replacing old table - upgrade to something properly mounted
Why Choose Us for Bird table install in Exeter?
Securely mounted to resist wind
Perfectly level feeding platform
Correct height for bird safety
Advice on placement and maintenance
What to Expect
Step 1: Position Planning
I'll walk your garden to find the best spot - good bird visibility, near escape cover, away from cat ambush points, and somewhere you can enjoy watching from indoors.
Step 2: Post Installation
Dig down 30-40cm (deeper for exposed sites), set the post with hardcore or concrete, ensure it's vertical with a spirit level. This is the critical bit - a solid base means years of use.
Step 3: Table Mounting & Levelling
Attach the table platform, check it's perfectly level (spirit level in both directions), make sure it's secure. Quick advice on what foods to offer and how to keep it clean.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to install a bird table yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spade or post-hole digger
- Spirit level (essential!)
- Hardcore or gravel
- Tape measure
- Rubber mallet
- Optional: quick-set concrete mix
📍 Choosing the spot
- Open area with good visibility
- 2-3m from shrubs/trees (escape cover)
- Away from fences (cat hiding spots)
- Visible from your windows
- Level ground if possible (easier installation)
🏗️ Installation steps
- Dig hole 30-40cm deep, 30cm wide
- Add 10cm hardcore base, compact firmly
- Insert post, check vertical with spirit level
- Backfill with soil, compact every 5cm as you go
- For exposed sites, use concrete instead of soil
- Attach table platform, check level
- Let concrete cure 24 hours before use
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Not digging deep enough (blows over)
- Forgetting to level the post (wonky table)
- Loose backfill (wobbles when birds land)
- Too close to cat ambush points
- Under trees (constant bird droppings above)
💡 Pro trick: Paint the post with wood preservative before installing - the buried section rots fastest. Also consider a removable table platform for winter storage or easy cleaning.
🐦 Bird table maintenance
- Scrub platform weekly with hot water
- Clear old food daily (goes mouldy)
- Check for loose fixings annually
- Repaint/treat every 2-3 years
- Move position occasionally to rest the ground underneath
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐦 What to feed: Mixed seed, sunflower hearts, mealworms, fruit (apples, grapes cut in half), suet pellets, and fat balls all work well. Avoid bread - it's low nutrition and fills birds up without feeding them properly.
Squirrels are inevitable - they'll climb the post. Some people add metal baffles (cones that stop them climbing), but most just accept squirrels as part of garden wildlife. They're fun to watch even if they're greedy.
Devon's wet weather makes roofed bird tables popular - keeps the food dry and attracts more birds. Adds wind resistance though, so needs extra-secure mounting. Open tables are simpler but food gets soggy.
Local bird species in Exeter gardens include robins (love mealworms), blackbirds (fruit fans), blue tits and great tits (seed eaters), dunnocks (quiet ground feeders), and chaffinches. A bird table attracts them all because different species prefer different foods and feeding styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's better - a bird table or bird feeders?
Both have benefits. Bird tables are great for ground-feeding species (robins, blackbirds, dunnocks) and let you put out different foods (mealworms, kitchen scraps, fruit). Hanging feeders suit finches and tits. Honestly, having both gets you the most bird variety.
How do you secure bird tables so they don't blow over?
I dig down 30-40cm and set the post properly - usually with hardcore and firm compaction, sometimes concrete for exposed gardens. A wobbly bird table in Devon's wind is useless. Proper installation means it'll stay put for years.
Where's the best spot for a bird table?
Open lawn area with good visibility (so birds can see approaching cats), but within 2-3m of shrubs or trees for quick escape. Away from fences where cats can lurk. I'll assess your garden and suggest the ideal position.
Can you install bird tables with roofs?
Yes - whether it's an open platform or a covered table with a roof, I'll get it mounted securely. Roofs are great for keeping food dry in Devon's wet weather, though they do add wind resistance so need extra-secure mounting.
Will squirrels raid the bird table?
Probably - squirrels can climb poles easily. Some people add squirrel baffles (metal cones around the pole), but honestly most folk just accept squirrels will visit. They're entertaining to watch even if they are greedy!
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