Making a bird feeder

Most of these feeders use materials found in your home. Hang the bird feeder in a spot in your yard where you can enjoy it and watch the birds eat.

Don’t forget to send me a picture of your bird feeder!

Here are five different ways of making a bird feeder at home, if you would like some more inspiration have a look at:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/01/how-to-make-a-bird-feeder/.

Make sure you read through the instructions prior to making your bird feeder. Then, lay out all the supplies and cover all work surfaces, these crafts can get messy, so if it is an option, work outside.

Some of these bird feeders use peanut butter, so if you have an allergy, use another ingredient like lard.

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

One of the most common bird feeders is the pine cone bird feeder.

You will need:

• Pine cones

• String

• Peanut butter or lard

• Bird seed

• Knife

• Bowl

1. Gather up a few pine cones from your garden or from a walk and tie strings to the top of them. Tip: Do this step first, as the pine cones can get sticky and messy.

2. Using a butter knife, spread peanut butter or cooking lard all over the surface of the pine cone.

3. Roll the pine cone through a bowl of birdseed.

4. Hang the pine cone from a high surface, such as a tree or a porch.

Bagel Bird Feeder

You will need:

A stale bagel

String or ribbon

Birdseed

Knife

1. Cut the bagel in half lengthwise and secure it with a string or ribbon through the hole.

2. Spread either peanut butter or lard over the bagel.

3. Place birdseed all over.

4. Hang the bagel in the yard.

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder
You will need:

• Toilet roll

• String

• Peanut butter or lard

• Birdseed

Start saving your empty toilet rolls. This is a great recycling project.

1. Run a long piece of string through an empty toilet paper roll and tie together at the ends.

2. Smear peanut butter all over the surface of the roll.

3. Roll it through birdseed and hang your toilet paper roll bird feeder for all to see.

Orange Half Bird Feeder

Another fun project, this is a good use for those oranges that have been around a little too long. You will be using the orange peel to create a hanging boat for the birdseed.

You will need:

• An orange

• String

• Peanut butter or lard

• Bird seed

1. Cut an orange in half and clean out all of the fruit and pulp.

2. Poke two tiny holes across the diameter of the orange, directly opposite from each other.

3. Thread a string through and secure at the top.

4. Fill the orange with a mixture of peanut butter and birdseed (or lard or leftover cooking fat) and hang.

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

You will need

• Empty milk carton

• Scissors

• String

• Paint/pens/pencils

1. Clean and dry an empty milk carton.

2. Cut a hole big enough for a bird to fit.

3. Punch a hole in the top of the feeder and thread a string through. Tie at the top and secure.

4. Decorate.

5. Once the bird feeder is dry, fill with birdseed and hang.

Enjoy making your bird feeders and don't forget to send me a picture of them!