A water hose can be used, or a bucket with a small hole in the bottom can be suspended above the bath. You will probably attract more birds in late summer and early fall with water than with food. One of the biggest joys of feeding birds is watching their behavior and learning their habits. Put the feeder near the windows you look out of the most often. Place it as close to the house as possible.
Birds like to feed near cover.
If there are no plants near the location you would like to place the feeder, a brush pile will serve until you can plant shrubs. How soon the birds will start to use your feeder depends on a number of things such as where you live, how many birds live in your neighborhood, and whether they are familiar with feeders. Be patient, they will soon arrive. Buy birdseed in large quantities, its cheaper this way. Use seed mixes that are mostly sunflower seed, cracked corn, and white millet.