Category: Nature & Garden

Category: Nature & Garden
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2 days ago

ADVERTORIAL

Thomas Berger

2 days ago

ADVERTORIAL

Thomas Berger

Birdwatching up close: How a 74-year-old tinkerer from Thuringia uses his invention to attract birds to the window

Observe wild birds right outside your window. Heinrich's transparent feeding station makes it possible – and the proceeds go towards bird conservation.

Heinrich Weller (74) is a craftsman from Thuringia. For over 40 years, he has been building everything wild birds need. His latest creation: a transparent feeding station that can be attached directly to the window. The birds come within arm's reach – and you can watch them eating as if you were sitting right in the middle of nature. Heinrich donates the proceeds to bird conservation.

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How Heinrich came up with the idea

"My granddaughter Marie was visiting. We were sitting at the kitchen table, and she said: 'Grandpa, I would love to see a bird up close. Not in the forest, not with binoculars – but really close up.'"

 

This bothered Heinrich. He went to his workshop and started tinkering. How could he get birds so close to people that he could see every feather – without disturbing them?

 

The solution: a transparent feeding station with suction cups that attaches directly to the window pane. The birds come to eat – and you sit on the other side of the pane and watch them from just a few centimeters away.

"When a blue tit sat at the station for the first time and looked directly in my direction through the window – that was special. After over 40 years with birds. I'd never been that close before."

From just a few centimeters away: A blue tit at Heinrich's transparent window feeding station.

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Why feeding birds is so important right now

For Heinrich, the feeding station is more than just a nature experience. It's about the birds themselves.

 

Populations of many native songbirds have been declining for years. Habitats are disappearing – meadows are being paved over, hedges cleared, gardens filled with gravel. Added to this is the insect die-off: the most important food source for birds is becoming increasingly scarce. Intensive agriculture, pesticides, and monocultures mean that birds in rural areas are finding less and less food – and the situation is no better in cities.

 

“It used to be said that birds should only be fed in winter,” says Heinrich. “But that’s outdated. Renowned ornithologists now recommend year-round feeding – precisely because natural food sources are becoming increasingly scarce.”

 

The reason: Birds' highest energy needs are not in winter, but in summer – during the breeding season. Parent birds are then out searching for food from morning till night. When insects are scarce, feeding stations can relieve the burden on the parents – allowing them to feed their young with insects and eat the provided food themselves.

 

And that's precisely Heinrich's conviction: those who observe birds up close begin to protect them. Those who see a family of tits coming to their window every morning start to take an interest in bird conservation. They plant a hedge. They let their garden grow a little wilder. They also put out a birdbath.

"A feeding station is no substitute for a natural garden. But it brings people closer to the birds – and that's the first step. People who know birds want to protect them."
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A highlight for indoor cats – and the birds are protected.

What Heinrich hadn't expected: The feeding station delights not only bird lovers – but also cat owners.

 

"My neighbor has two house cats. They sit on the windowsill all day and look outside. When she installed the feeding station, it was like having their own TV channel for the cats."

 

The birds come right up to the window – and the cats can observe them at close range. The pane of glass between them completely protects the birds. No bird is harmed, and the cat has something to do. For indoor cats that are never allowed outside, such stimulating environments are especially valuable.

 

"The cat sat completely mesmerized in front of the window for an hour. The birds were safe on the other side. Everyone was happy – the cat, the birds, and the owner."

Bird TV for indoor cats – the glass in between reliably protects the birds.

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What makes Heinrich's window feeding station special

Heinrich also put a lot of thought into this piece. "It sounds simple – sticking a bowl to the window. But there are a few things you have to pay attention to in order for it to work."

The details that make the difference:

  • ✓ Completely transparent – you don't see the birds, you see everything. Every feather, every beak cut, every detail.
  • ✓ Strong suction cups – adhere firmly to any smooth surface. No drilling, no screws, no residue. Mounts in seconds.
  • ✓ The roof shape acts as rain protection – the food stays dry. Wet food quickly becomes moldy and can be problematic for birds.
  • ✓ Removable food bowl – simply take it out, clean it, and put it back in. Hygiene is important at feeding stations.
  • ✓ Space for different types of food – grains, small seeds, or fresh insects. This way you can attract different bird species.
  • ✓ Safe for the birds – the pane in between protects them from cats and other pets. They can eat without danger.

Transparent, well-designed, easy to clean – Heinrich's window feeding station.
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🎁

The perfect gift for bird lovers

Whether for a birthday, Christmas, or just because – the window bird feeder is a meaningful gift. For grandparents who can no longer go outside as often. For children who want to learn about birds. For everyone who enjoys standing at the window in the morning and watching what's happening outside. And with every purchase, a portion of the proceeds goes towards bird conservation.
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Heinrich's feeding tips – all year round

In spring and summer (April to July): Offer small, low-fat seeds. Avoid whole sunflower seeds or broken nuts – these can be too large for young birds. If desired, fresh or thawed mealworms can be offered.

 

In autumn and winter: sunflower seeds, crushed peanuts, suet and suet balls. Now the birds need energy for the cold nights.

 

Important year-round: Clean the feeding station regularly. Remove old, wet food. The removable tray makes this easy – rinsing it with hot water once a week is sufficient.

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Heinrich and his granddaughter Marie packing the feeding stations – together they ensure that the orders arrive on time.

Why Heinrich sells his feeding stations via Variova

Heinrich is retiring. At 74, his hands can no longer handle the work. But before he closes his workshop, he wants to encourage as many people as possible to take an interest in birds.

 

His granddaughter Marie (26) helped him list his products on Variova – a platform specializing in artisans and small business owners. There, people like Heinrich can sell their handmade products directly to customers – without Amazon, without middlemen.

 

Heinrich donates a portion of the proceeds to bird conservation projects. "It's not about making money for me. It's about encouraging more people to observe birds, to become enthusiastic about them – and at the same time, something good for bird conservation comes out of it."

"I can't save the birds alone. But I can make sure more people see them. And those who see them want to protect them. It starts at the kitchen window."
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What customers say

★★★★★

"My children are thrilled. Every morning before school, they first look to see which birds are around. They can now distinguish between blue tits, great tits, and robins. Better than any reference book."

– Customer from Munich

★★★★★

"I live alone and work from home a lot. The bird feeder by the office window is the highlight of my day. Sometimes there are three tits sitting in it at the same time. Better than any break."

– Customer from Hamburg

★★★★★

"Our cat Moritz has been sitting mesmerized in front of the window every day since it was installed. For him, it's the best entertainment. And the birds are safe on the other side of the glass – everyone is happy."

– Customer from Cologne

★★★★★

"I stuck the station to the kitchen window for my 82-year-old mother. She can't walk well anymore and rarely goes out. Now she has visitors every day, including tits and sparrows. She says it's the best part of the whole day."

– Customer from Leipzig

Heinrich carefully assembles each individual birdhouse by hand.

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For everyone who loves birds – or will soon.

Heinrich's window feeder is suitable for any window with a smooth pane – in apartments, houses, or on balconies. No garden needed. No tools required. Simply press the suction cups against the glass, fill with food, and wait.

 

"Most birds find the station within a few days. You just have to be patient – ​​and then comes the moment that changes everything."

Satisfaction guarantee

Attach the feeding station to your window. If you're not satisfied – with the quality, the installation, or the overall experience – simply return it. No questions asked.

Note: This post contains advertising. A portion of the proceeds goes to bird conservation projects. Payment via PayPal (including buyer protection), or credit card. Available through ItamiHome – a platform for artisans and small businesses.