attract birds to your garden by making a bird feeder

Garden birds benefit most from extra food during winter, but will visit garden feeders year round once they know they’re there.  Feeders can be made from materials you probably have at home already - simply hang them up in a tree, from a post, bracket or even a washing line. The ideal spot is somewhere that doesn’t get disturbed too much, is sheltered and offers plenty of visibility so birds can see any danger coming (like neighbourhood cats). Put small amounts of food out at first, so you don’t get waste that might attract unwanted visitors.
 
Some birds, including robins, prefer feeding from a flat surface, so you could put out a tray, table or dish of seeds to suit them.  

What you will need

• Something to hold the seed mix. This could be pine cones, an old mug or cup, empty plastic bottle or even the cardboard tube from toilet roll
• Vegetable fat or lard
• Small seed bird feed
• Mixing bowls
• String

 
Method

• Tie string to your pine cone or the mug handle so you can hang it from a tree or hook later. If using a cardboard tube or old plastic bottle, carefully poke holes into the sides to thread the string through.
• Soften vegetable fat by warming it in your hands or in a saucepan over a stove. It doesn’t need to melt, just become soft enough to mould easily.
• If using a cardboard tube:   (see video here)
  • Carefully poke four holes at equal distances around the bottom of the tube.
  • Spread the lard onto the outside of the tube, then roll it in the seed mixture until it coats the outside.
  • Poke two twigs or sticks through opposing holes in the base of the tube, creating a cross. This will give the birds somewhere to perch.
• If using a pine cone:
  • Add in the bird seed to the warmed lard a bit at a time, and mix until it sticks together easily.
  • Gently squash the mixture into all the holes in your pine cone. Roll the cone in even more seed to coat the outside.
• If using a cup or mug: (see video here)
  • Add in the bird seed to the warmed lard a bit at a time, and mix until it sticks together easily.
  • Pack the mix in to the cup or mug and firm it down well.
  • Push a long twig directly into the mix to give the birds somewhere to perch.
  • Tie your finished feeder directly onto a tree branch or if you don’t have any trees hang it somewhere quiet, sheltered and high off the ground to keep birds safe from predators.

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See the National Trust website for lots more ideas and inspiration
all images copyright National Trust

Making a pine cone feeder.  Click on images to enlarge.
YouTube Videos on how to make easy feeders from a mug and a toilet roll holder HERE