Here's a simple, fun, sticky, nature friendly craft for the little ones and those of any age. Ask your kids and grandkids to help make a pinecone bird (or squirrel ;) ) feeder. As winter is finally leaving us it's time to get the kids outside with some activities that you can do together. Spring is not quite here and food is still a little scarce; think about our feathered friends. Small birds need high energy foods to survive in a variety of outdoor conditions year round. Make them a peanut butter pinecone bird feeder for a tasty treat. Peanut butter is a good high protein food for birds. Our local birds such as Woodpeckers, Nuthatches & Blue Jays love to eat it.
First start by collecting your materials ahead of time. Gather pinecones of any shape or size but just be sure they are open so you can fill all the holes with the tasty goodness. If you can't find pinecones then toilet paper rolls can be used as an alternative.
You will need some natural peanut butter and bird seed. If you are buying the peanut butter specifically for the birds look for a natural option with few additives.
Other items from around the house that you will need to collect are twine, hemp or cotton string (no wire or plastic fishing wire), a bowl for the seed, a spoon or butter knife for spreading and scissors for cutting the string.
Lay paper down first as this is fun but can be sticky and messy.
Cut the string and tie it to the end of the cone. Spread the peanut butter over the cone covering it completely getting into some of those nooks and crannies. Roll the cone in the bowl of seed.
If you are using toilet paper rolls run the string through the roll horizontally and then smear the peanut butter all over the outside of the roll. Then roll it in the bowl of seed.
If you're not hanging your feeders right away you can place them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready.
Lastly tie/hang the feeders to the branches of a nearby tree, preferably in your yard where you can wait for the birds to get hungry.
Take some time to learn about the different species that it attracts and encourage exploration by having a bird scavenger hunt keeping track of how many birds you see and even hear.
Shanna
Squirrels are a challenge with most feeders unless they are commercial squirrel proof feeder. I personally wouldn’t hang one from my eavestrough as I’d be concerned I might attract them more to areas they can get inside like a chimney, attic, etc.
Murray Bannon
Can I buy one of these fully assembled !? Can it be hung from an eavestrough to avoid squirrels !?