Birdhouses can attract birds to your yard. As long as you do not have any fruit trees that you want left alone, attracting birds can be a great activity and even an educational opportunity for your children. Kids love to watch how birds get their food, interact with each other, and of course fly. With a few simple materials (including things that you may have just thrown away) you can make a birdhouse that is irresistible to the neighborhood birds.
Milk Jug Birdhouses
Milk containers and milk gallon jugs make for excellent birdhouses because the manufacturers of these containers have already done most of the work for you. You can choose whether you want to make a birdhouse out of a paper container or a plastic container. Using a gallon jug is practical because a plastic jug stands up better to the elements than does a paper container. To make a gallon jug bird house all that you need to do is to cut a slit around one third of the bottle and then make another slit about 5-6 inches above. Cut out the portion of the container between these two marks. The gallon should look like a big bite was taken out of it. With the lid on the gallon container facing downward, fill the jug with birdseed just below the cut mark. You can set the gallon jug bird feeder on branches towards the inside part of the tree, or drill holes to attach a string from which the bird feeder can be hung.
Homemade Birdseed Biscuits
For those who love baking, this craft is a must. You can make a special treat for all of your new bird friends by making them birdseed biscuits. To make birdseed biscuits, you will need 2 cups biscuit baking mix, 1/2 cup cold water, 2 tablespoons margarine, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, and 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds. Start by preheating the oven to 425 Fahrenheit. Form a soft dough with baking mix and water. Roll out dough to 3/4 inch thick and cut it into shapes with cookie cutters. Punch a hole in the top of each cookie using a straw. Melt the margarine and brush over dough. The melted margarine will serve as a type of paste for the seeds and nuts. Sprinkle the seeds and nuts onto the dough and press them in firmly with a fork. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until light brown. Allow the birdseed biscuits to cool and then thread brightly colored ribbon through the holes. Hang your birdseed biscuits in a tree for the birds to enjoy. This craft is also a great one to use around Christmas time (in warmer climates where the birds have not flown south) as the biscuits look very much like Christmas tree ornaments.
Pinecone Bird Feeder
To make a pinecone bird feeder, you will need a pinecone, some string, peanut butter and birdseed. After looking through your yard or a local park for the perfect pinecone, take it home and begin coating it with peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter is generally easier to work with but crunchy peanut butter will also work. Once you have coated the pinecone with the peanut butter, roll the pinecone into the birdseed or place the pinecone in a re-sealable bag with birdseed and coat it well. Tie the string around the top portion of the pinecone and then use the remaining length of the string to tie the pinecone bird feeder to a tree. There is no need to clean up the pinecone after the birds have eaten the seed, but you may want to make sure that the string finds its way out of your tree. Clean-up couldn't be easier!
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