Bird Feeder by Gabrielle McLean
Bird watching can be very relaxing. This project has multiple versions of a bird feeder that you can hang in your yard. Be sure to keep away from pets. These bird feeders are a great way to decorate for the winter time and are a great activity for spending time with family and friends! Depending on what birds are local to your area, you can decide on the best bird seed to use. The website https://www.thespruce.com/top-bird-feeding-mistakes-386614 lists some key aspects of bird feeding to keep in mind. Also, https://www.thespruce.com/kitchen-scraps-to-feed-birds-386571 has some examples of food that is okay for birds to eat if you do not have bird seed or if you want to add more to your bird seed.
Materials:
Peanut Butter (If allergic, please use Crisco vegetable shortening)
Bird Seed (or foods that can take the place of birdseed, as linked above)
String or Twine
Bagel or Pinecone
Step one: Spread peanut butter over the bagel or pinecone. Use vegetable shortening if needed.
Step two: Cover the bagel with the bird seed. Make sure the bird seed sticks to the bagel. I suggest pouring the birdseed on a plate and rolling or tapping the bagel or pinecone onto the birdseed on the plate. You may need to lightly push the bird seed into the peanut butter or vegetable shortening. Use paper or old newspaper underneath to keep you area as neat as you can.
Step three: Use string or ribbon to hang it!
Plastic Bottle
Step one: Make sure the bottle is clean and dry. You can allow the bottle to dry for a few hours to make sure it is dry. Tie ribbon, string, or twine around the neck of the bottle, underneath the bottle cap.
Step two: Cut holes on either side of the bottle at different heights. Make four holes total; one hole will be bigger than the other so it can fit the end of the spoon, but be sure to not make it too large or else the bird seed will come out too much. There should be two holes for each spoon (If you are only using one spoon, like I am, only make two holes. This will depend on the size of the bottle. I am using a smaller water bottle, as opposed to a two liter soda bottle, for example). This is one of the more tricky steps, so take your time and be careful! Make a slight slant so when you put the food in it can come out, pouring onto the spoon, but do not make it too tilted! Place spoons through the holes and pour birdseed in the bottle.
Step three: Once you are done with this, hang the birdfeeder!
Milk or Juice Carton
Step one: Rinse the carton and allow it to drain so it can dry. Sketch and cut out a square or circle. When cutting out your shape, it may be useful to first poke a hole and then cut outwards from that part; like the plastic bottle bird feeder, this aspect can be a bit tricky since it is a bit tedious, so take your time with it!. Feel free to make a hole on more than one side of the carton.
Step two: Paint the carton or cover it with paper. If painting, allow the paint to dry before proceeding. You may need to paint a few coats. If you use paper, allow the glue to dry before you move to the next step. Tape will work, too.
Step three: Poke a hole underneath the square you made; a hole punch will help, but it may be tough to get through the cardboard. Then, place a stick through the hole and adhere it inside the box if needed with tape.
Step four: Poke a hole through the top of the carton and pull string or twine through it if you can. Or, for attaching the rope you can hot glue and tape twine to the ledge of the top of the carton; I hid it with a “roof” looking paper set. Hang up the bird feeder.
