We are presently in a rental home and I do not want to put up or hang a traditional feeder. The home backs up to a nature preserve, seperated by an iron fence. The neighbors do not like to feed the birds because the dropped seed attracts rodents which in turn attracts snakes. To be fair, although I have always lived in snake territory, this place is really crawling with them, They come out of the preserve which is also a wetlands at times. The fence sits on a retaining wall, the preserve land is actually 3' lower than the yard. I want to cheat a bit and have a bird feeder but one where any seed dropped would fall into the preserve area. We really cannot easily reach any of the trees over there. I have seen flower boxes that sit on fence railings. Has anyone seen bird feeders that attach or sit on railings? Or any ideas on adapting one?
TIA

It seems as if the birds are finding all they need to eat in the preserve. Do any of them grab a snake from time to time? Conversely, snakes and even squirrels can snatch a bird's egg from a nest. That's nature for you.

I've seen a number of bird feeders or pictures of bird feeders that can easily be attached to a fence or railing. Google 'bird feeders' and I bet you'll see some pictures that will inspire you. DIY plans abound.You do need to know what kind of birds that are around and that you'd want to feed. Some like to perch, some like to eat from tube feeders, etc.

All of my feeders are down right now. I've got to clean and sterilize them. When we had a turn in the weather a few weeks ago all of the feeders got moldy. Ick.

Clamps and brackets can be used. Here's a couple of examples.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DTJM8SU/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XL5ROM/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CNQU2Y/

Thanks, I had seen those and none seem adaptable to a metal railing but I may have to give that last one a try. My husband got frustrated yesterday and said the heck with the neighbors and hung a feeder in our one and only tree. At our last home we had 4 or 5 feeders up at all times and we had dozens of birds. They kept us and our guests entertained for hours. Our immediate neighborhood counted close to 80 different species last year for the backyard bird count. This lack of birds here borders on creepy. I guess the snakes could be eating the birds eggs.
When we were looking for a rental we picked this house because of the woods, we assumed there would be birds. Now, as we look for a place to buy we'll have to add "birds" to our list of wants.

I just picked a few at random. But I'm trying to figure out how one can know for sure where the seeds are going to drop. To the delight of the doves and rats squirrels, the birds at my feeders might drop seeds anywhere. Or maybe it's just me being a little careless when refilling the feeders, especially on windy days.

I never had feeders before the house I'm in now. Theoretically the feeders shouldn't work so great because it would be impossible to hang them at a distance that rats squirrels can't jump to. They're clever little beasts. (Apologies to any squirrel lovers reading this.)

Got an email today from Wild Birds Unltd. that this weekend anything you can put in one of their large bags will be 25% off. Too bad it's the store that's about 5 miles away rather than the one that's 5 blocks away.

Footnote: I bet you're not seeing birds because they're hanging out somewhere in the preserve which is very cool that your property borders on.

And I like your idea of putting 'birds' on your list of 'wants'.

After trying almost all the squirrel deterrants out there and having no success I broke down and bought the WBU pole system and baffle. Instant success. I cannot understand why as I had tried many other baffles but it worked. We had feeders hanging from that pole for 18 years and although we frequently saw squirrels trying they never made it to the feeders.

I was planning on attaching the feeders to the far side of the fence where the seed would fall into the woods. This neighborhood was obviously filled as the fence is on a retaining wall and the woods on the other side are 3' lower. Apparently the neighborhood HOA frowns on bird feeders encouraging people to enjoy the birds in the preserved areas but there are so few birds visible. Seriously, 3 birds in 6 weeks!
Oh well, we are going to be bad renters and feed the birds. Could be worse.

Clamps and brackets, that was going to be my suggestion. The birds seem to make themselves scare sometimes but they're there. You might start seeing them more now that the weather is changing. I'm starting to see a lot more here and we live in the middle of the forest, trees all around us.

I use the baffle set up from Wild Birds. It really is the best that I've tried. There's another feeder that the squirrels leave alone mostly because they don't like safflower seeds.

I have so many feeders it's ridiculous. Some don't work as described. Or whatever. WBU is expensive but they're not kidding when they say 'lifetime guarantee'. I've gone in with feeders 20 years old that might have a crack or missing screw and they always cheerfully fix or replace them.

I really need to clean the feeders. I heard a few birds the other morning. Plus it should be about time for the goldfinches to show up. I just hate having to clean the feeders that were out during heavy rains.

True, that is a nasty job.

Take a look at this one from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Well, I can't post a link yet but just google Wild Birds Unlimited and go to the poles section.

They do have the very best feeder poles.