Feed the birds

As the mornings become dull and dark and the weather takes a turn for the worse, why not perk up your bird feeders with some welcome treats or make a hanging feeder for you feathered visitors. Children will love to help create a tasty snack from healthy morsels, which will encourage birds to return to your garden on a regular basis.

Why not recreate your childhood by making a simple yet alluring bird feeder. Use either lard, suet or any other hard fat and combine a tempting selection of breadcrumbs, unsalted nuts, sunflower seeds, cheese, fruit and bacon rind for a belly busting winter feast.

Chop your ingredients finely, taking care especially when preparing the nuts as small birds can easily choke on large hard pieces.

Melt your fat just enough to allow you to mix in all your ingredients with ease. Allow the fat to cool before you combine all the tasty scraps. Whilst heating the fat keep a close eye on younger children if they are acting as your assistant as the lard can become extremely hot.

Take an old yoghurt pot and pierce a hole in the bottom. Thread a piece of string through the hole and secure a twig to one end to act as a perch. Spoon your mixture into the pot and allow to cool and set completely. Remove the pot and secure the feeder to an established tree or shrub. You can also use the corner of a shed or pergola if you have one.
If you have any left over mixture, smear it into tree bark or add to a coconut shell as either of these methods will be greatly welcomed, as the search for food becomes more of a challenge.