Create a Bird Tree
While many families enjoy bird watching from their windows all winter, why not make it an enjoyable time for the birds as well? Just think of the needs of the birds and it becomes easy. Most prefer to perch and eat well off the ground in order to watch for predators—like the family cat!
Use a tree already in your landscape or purchase one to place in an outside container. Now it's time for the fun part—gathering the bird treats.
Edible ornaments can be foods that you may already have on hand, like citrus, peanut butter, or cereal. Here's one idea:
- Juice a tangerine half.
- Let it dry for a day then poke three holes in it and tie raffia or colored twine through the holes. Fill it with peanut butter or suet, and roll it in birdseed. Or simply fill with dried fruits.
- Hang the ornament on your bird tree.
Other ideas:
With needle and strong thread (dental floss is a good idea), string colored cereals in ring shapes, such as Fruit Loops, for a colorful garland. Other garlands can be dried fruits such as cranberries, pineapples, or apples. The traditional popcorn is still a favorite.
Fill the spaces in the pinecones with suet or peanut butter, roll them in sunflower seeds, and tie a colorful raffia hanger to the top.
Stale bagels already have a hole to run your hanger through! Coat them with suet or peanut butter, roll them in seeds, and you're in business. Rice cakes or doughnuts are also possibilities.
Use your imagination for a fun project, as well as a colorful and tasty treat for the neighborhood birds!