Feed the birds

A little birdy told me the cold months are tough for those who don’t migrate south for a bit of winter sun – but I’m starting to think he might have lied.

Our homemade birdfeeders have been up for three days, and they are yet to pique the interest of even a single pigeon.

I’d imagined flocks of grateful songbirds swooping down singing hymns of thanks – while my children sketched rare species from the window, like tiny David Attenboroughs. This has not happened.

Still, the making of the feeders was a surprisingly enjoyable experience even when outnumbered by a three- and six-year-old.

Here’s how we made ours:

Option 1 – peanut butter toilet roll

• Cut or poke two small holes near the top of the toilet roll and thread 20–30cm of string through to make a hanger (we only had some red wool available).
• Spread peanut butter all over the outside.
• Roll the tube in birdseed until it’s completely covered.
• Hang the feeder somewhere high enough that pets or squirrels can’t get to it, and ideally where you can watch visiting birds from a window (if they ever turn up!)

Option 2 – recycled plastic bottle feeder

• Make two holes directly opposite each other, near the bottom of the bottle — these will hold the first perch.
• Ensure the holes are just big enough for a stick or wooden spoon to slide through snugly, then push the stick through.
• Cut small seed-access holes just above each perch so the birds can reach the food.
• Repeat this process above for the second perch.
• Tie string tightly around the bottle neck, just under the lid, and knot it to create a hanging loop.
• Use a funnel (or a rolled piece of paper) to fill the bottle with birdseed, then screw the lid on securely.
• Hang the feeder somewhere high enough that pets or squirrels can’t get to it.