It’s nesting season and our garden birds are working hard so we’re lending them a helping hand with our pine cone bird feeders. Let’s call it a fly-by bird cafe ;).
It’s a fun activity for children and a great way to make sure our feathered friends are fed throughout the year. Nesting season runs from March until August with some birds nesting earlier or later. So, there’s plenty of time to make your own pine cone bird feeders. Once made, simply hang them up and watch as life emerges.
You will need:
- Pine cones. Ours we picked up while out walking.
- Mixing bowls.
- 2 cups lard, suet or fat (either shop bought or collected from your own cooking).
- 1 cup dry ingredients such as a mix of seeds, chopped unsalted nuts, dry breadcrumbs, oats etc.
- Twine or garden string.
- Kraft paper is optional but you know we love to roll this out for any messy activity.
The ingredients meant there was plenty of leftover mixture that we have stored in an airtight container. So don’t worry garden birds, the This Home Grows garden cafe will be open again soon.
Method:
Make these quick and easy pine cone feeders to keep the birds happy. *tweet*.
Step 1
🌱 Melt the lard, suet or fat and doing this on the stove is easiest.
Step 2
🌱 Tie the garden string or twine directly to the top of your pine cones.
Step 3
🌱 Now for the fun part. Add the dry ingredients and mix until it sticks together easily. Often the best way is to get your hands into the mixture. This is messy mixing so it’s a real sensory experience for little ones.
Step 4
🌱 Gently squash the sticky mixture of your bird feed onto the pine cone. Roll the pine cone into more seed to coat the outside.
Step 5
🌱 Leave in the fridge or in a cool place for up to an hour to set. Once ready, tie your finished pine cone bird feeder directly onto a tree – somewhere you can watch without disturbing. There’s something so relaxing about watching the little birds feast. We have spotted sparrows, blue tits and robins all enjoying the This Home Grows garden cafe.
Pine Cone Feeder Tips!
- Once the birds have eaten everything off the pine cone you can reuse them to make new feeders. Clean the pine cone in hot boiling water to help prevent the spread of disease.
- We would advise not putting your feeders out in hot weather as they could become soft and turn rancid. Ours are sheltered in the trees and in shaded spots.
- Also try hanging your pine cone bird feeders in a spot where squirrels cannot use their trapeze artist skills to take them away!?
Looking after our garden birds
We can help our garden birds by planting berrying or fruit bushes and trees for feeding all year round. Also, providing water for drinking and bathing and of course grow a few homes for them by putting up nesting boxes. You might have seen on instagram that Esme and I had a fun craft date painting bird boxes. Hopefully, one day we’ll see signs of nesting.
Watching birds in your garden is a wonderful way to connect with nature. If you want help identifying a bird then check out the RSPB tool here. It’s super clever, although I also rely a lot on my trusty bird book.
The pine cone bird feeders are great for children because it can be split into two activities. Make your feeders one day and hang them up on another to watch the birds visit. They are also natural, eco-friendly and kind. Simple to make and packed with energy to help the birds while nest building. Grow on, give it a try.
Happy home growing!
Hols x