March Break Fun!

March Break Ideas

CTV Ottawa News at Noon - March 5, 2013

Julie and the kids make bird feed, paper flowers and prints.

Providing a supplemental food will help ensure birds have enough energy to stay warm. Calorie-rich black sunflower seeds and preservative-free suet are great choices. Place feeders at different heights to attract different species. Platform feeding areas attract jays and grosbeaks, while titmice and finches enjoy hanging feeders. Ground feeders like mourning doves and juncos will take care of any seeds that fall from elevated feeders.

1. Continue to stock feeders. Early foods are still scarce, and there is still the possibility of snow.
2. Place raisins and other cut-up fruit in bare spots under a tree to please early birds like robins.
3. Set up and fill a bird bath once temperatures are above freezing.
4. Put out hummingbird feeders so early arrivals have a source of nectar while flowers are scarce.
5. Leave scraps of yarn or cut hair in your yard for birds to use as nesting material.

Cookie Cutter Bird Feeders

what you’ll need:
-3/4 cup birdseed
-1/4 cup water
-1 small envelope of knox gelatine
-twine or string
-cookie cutters, molds or mason jar lids
-wax paper

what you’ll do:
-mix together the envelope of gelatine with 1/4 cup of water and bring to a simmer while stirring. continue stirring until the gelatine is dissolved.
-remove from heat and let cool for a minute.
-stir in the 3/4 cup birdseed. adding a little more if there is liquid still in the bottom of the pan.
-lay your cookie cutters out on wax paper and fill half way with the birdseed mixture.

-cut your twine, knot the end and push the knot down into your birdseed.
-continue filling with birdseed, covering the end of your twine and knot.
-push the birdseed evenly into the cookie cutter until it’s full.

-allow them to dry overnight. turning them over every now and then.
-remove from the cookie cutters and hang them in your trees.
-then wait by the window to watch for your first guest.

Thanks to eighteen25 for the idea

Bagel Bird Feeder

1 day-old bagel
Lard
Birdseed
Jute or string (for hanging

Spread entire bagel with lard. Place birdseed on a paper plate. Roll the bagel in the birdseed. Tie jute or string through the hole of the bagel to hang the bagel. The birds can eat the whole thing!

 

This is easy & fun for a children's project. Tie this in a tree somewhere near a window if possible. Children love to watch the birds have the snack that they helped to make!

Pine Cone and Peanut Butter Bird Feeder. 

Comments

[Lynne]

I did not think bread/yeast products were good for birds in the winter as the yeast grows in their tummies and they could die