Nature Crafts
Fat Ball Bird Feeder
This is a fun activity, particularly in the colder months when the birds are struggling to find food. It can be a messy activity, but that just makes it more fun !
Click the image on the left to learn about other things you can do to look after the birds in winter !
Making your feeder
You will need ...
1 pack of lard
Bird Seed
Pine Cones
String
Scissors
Mixing spoon/spatula
Mixing bowl
Hob, microwave or someothe way of warming the lard
Step 1 - Gather together as many pine cones as you think you will need. The 'hard' cones are better, as they will take more of the food mix, and will be better at holding their shape.
Step 2 - Tie a length of string to the top of the cone. The string should be about 30 cm (1 foot) long. This is what you will tie your feeder to the tree with.
Step 3 - Melt the lard slightly. It need to be soft, but not liquid ! If you heat it too much, don't panic ... when it cools it will solidify again. This is what makes it a good 'base' for the feeders. Be aware that if it is hot enough to turn to liquid, it will be HOT !
Step 4 - Pour some bird seed into the warm lard, and mix it through thoroughly. Be careful not to put too much bird feed into the mix, otherwise it may not have enough lard in it for it to 'stick' together.
Step 5 - 'fill' the pine cone with the mix, making sure the mix is crammed into all the nooks and crannies of the pine cone.
Step 6 - Hang the pine cones from trees or what have you in the garden. The birds may take a wee while to realise that it is for them, but, once they get the hang of it, you may find you have to refill the cone quite regularly !
(Image : https://www.youtube.com/@DaisynicsRecipesDIYCrafts)
Why Winter Feeding Matters
Scarcity of food
In winter, natural food sources for birds become scarce. Cold temperatures and frozen soil make it difficult for birds to find insects, seeds, and berries, which are essential components of their diet. Supplementing their food supply can make a significant difference in their survival rates and keep them safe in the colder months.
Keeping warm.
Birds need extra energy to stay warm during the chilly months. By providing them with easily accessible food, you help them conserve energy that would otherwise be spent foraging in the cold.
Improving Biodiversity
Feeding birds in the winter will attract a variety of bird species into your garden, perhaps even some species that have never visited your garden before. Many people enjoy watching the birds, and working out what species are visiting their garden. Every year the RSPB run the "Big Garden Birdwatch" over one weekend. During this weekend, gardeners and birdwatchers all around the country carry out a simple 'audit' of the birds that visit their gardens within a period of time. This data is uploaded to the RSPB who use the data to monitor changes in bird populations across the country. To find out more, visit Big Garden Birdwatch.
Advice on the placement of your feeders.
Remember that other animals in winter may also be struggling to find food, and, for them, if birds are part of their normal diet, they will be quick to learn that there is an increased chance of finding birds close to your feeds. Make sure, then, the you hand the feeders in a place where cats (for example) are unable to get up to. Also. if possible, try to place the feeders where any birds on the ground below the feeders, are in reasonable 'open' ground. Cats are very good at hiding in shrubbery, waiting for an unsuspecting sparrow to come along ! One last thing to think about is the mess that birds can make.
Not only will the birds drop seeds, they defecate (poo !) quite a bit, and so be aware that the ground under the feeders may get quite messy !
Points to ponder ...
This is an easy task to do with children, and the only real risk is in the warming of the lard. If it has been heated to the point where it becomes liquid it will be dangerously hot to handle, especially for young children.
Other than this, te only hazards might be slips trips and falls when (and if) if the children are in the woods