|
If you live where the winter temperatures stay below zero until spring, then you are aware how difficult it is for the birds to find enough to eat. You can help these feathered friends by creating them birdfood cakes to hang out on the tree or bush branches. It not only helps them survive, but it is also fun to watch the birds while they are eating. These stay firm when the temperatures outside are really cold. Hang close to a branch so the birds can hold on to the branch while eating their treat. An alternative is to put the cake in a onion netting which also holds the cake nicely together.
|
|
For this project you will need:
- 200 grams or a little more of shortning or plant grease. More grease is firmer and holds the seeds better
than less grease.
- 200 grams of birdfood mixture (birdseed, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, oats, coconut flakes, raisins,
etc...
- two cleaned and dried yoghurt cups
- long metal hook, ribbon or netting material
- scissors
- ribbon for hanging
|
|
Instructions:
1. Heat the shortning in a pot until it just melts. Add the birdfood mixture to the liquid and stir thoroughly.
2. Fill each of the yoghurt cups and insert a hook in the center of each cup while the mixture is still wet. The hook will normally hold on its own. You may also choose to use a ribbon for hanging. Just knot one end and insert the knotted end in the wet mixture.... or insert nothing and use a netting material to hold the food cake when solid.
3. Store the cups either outside (if the temperatures are cold) or in the refrigerator until the shortning hardnens and the mixture is very solid.
4. Cut the yoghurt cup away from the birdfood cake.
5. Tie a ribbon to the hook and hang on a branch.
As an alternative, you can also place the cakes in a netting and hang it from a branch. The netting holds the cake longer and the birds can hold on to it easier while trying to eat. Here you see a bird enjoying his meal!
|
