Help Our Feathered Friends, The Birds

33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children [are] tender, and the flocks and herds with young [are] with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

Genesis 33:13

** New information for blog, in orange writing added January 17, 2009 update! ALSO, added nesting material info on March 5, 2009! Nesting material portion added at bottom of blog.

Information in blue writing included in original blog.

Build a bird-feeding snowman. Use millet spray for hair or sprinkle seeds on head. Be creative, think of the items that birds eat and how it could be used for the snowman. Cobs of corn, millet sprigs, suet, Strings of popcorn and dried fruit will work great on trees. Extension hooks can be used to string orange pieces, etc.

One source of grit--Bake eggshells at 250 degrees for 20 minutes to kill any bacteria. After they cool, crush them into small pieces. Egg shells has calcium. They need calcium in the spring, too, when laying eggs. For grit, you can also use broken oyster shells, tiny stones, or bought boxed grit.

Thistle feeders attract many small songbirds, too. Nyger, can be used in thistle (in place of thistle, if desired) feeders. Niger is a black seed that goldfinches seem to love.

Safflower is a white seed, slightly smaller than black sunflower seed.

Get black sunflower seeds, sometimes called oil seeds. They're higher in oil content than the grey-and-white-striped sunflower seeds. Dry pumpkin and gourd seed and put them out for the birds.

Cracked corn, shelled peanuts, and meal worms are also good bird feeding additions.

Also, don't forget to keep water available.

I know everyone is busier than usual during this time and the last thing they want to hear is the suggestion to do something else!! LOL!!

According to the weather reports this year, most of us are experiencing cold weather earlier than usual. There are reports of snow in unusual places (Southern California and even Louisiana). Please remember the birds during the cold, long winter!

Birdseed, fresh water (check to see if frozen), and suet are a lifesaver for the birds. Pre-made packages of suet are for sale but I like making my own. I add different things to the mixture, according to what I have on hand at the time. I add raisins, birdseed, oatmeal, and various other ingredients on hand. I place the suet in a mesh bag and hang the bag from a limb. You can also pack suet on/in pine cones. Remember to place the birdseed/suet so that cats can't get to the birds when they are at the feeder! I have a general list of things you can use included in this blog, plus a video that shows how to make pine cone feeder. VERY GOOD VIDEO.

A good basic suet recipe (Back to Basics Birdnature):

Back to Basics

1 Cup	Suet
1 Cup	Peanut Butter
3 Cups	Cornmeal
1/2 Cup	White Flour
Preparation: Melt suet in a saucepan over low heat. Add peanut butter, stirring until well blended. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Allow the suet to cool until slightly thickened. Stir suet into the bowl of mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour or pack into molds, feeders, or any Refrigerate until hardened or freeze.

It's great nutrition for the birds during a time that berries, seeds, and other food supply are limited due to weather. Thank you!

*This site has several suet recipes to try (http://www.birdnature.com/suet.html)

Ingredients you may have or consider getting for suet mix. You must have the lard, shortening, or rendered fat. You then add ingredients you want to for a nourishing mixture. Peanut butter is important to add, for sure, too.

This is a "quick list" so you can easily see some of the ingredients that you can select from. You can use bought wire suet feeder, mesh bag (like oranges or onions come in), a pine cone coated with the mixture, or place it on a flat container such as a baking pan, etc.

lard, shortening, or you own rendered fat from meat fat

peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

cornmeal

leftover cornbread, crumbled

oatmeal (flakes or cooked)

unsalted crackers, broken/crushed

dry bread crumbs

crushed graham crackers

dry cereal

sunflower seed and/or mixed wild birdseed

dry dog food or dry cat food (even a little bit of canned might work)

grated sweet potato

grated carrots

all berries and fruits

currants or dates, chopped

DRIED fruit (will last longer than fresh-but fresh will work, too)

crushed egg shells

grated cheddar cheese

popped popcorn, without salt

you may also add grit, since they need grit for digestion

If you know other things, PLEASE add comment to blog! Thanks!

Video "HOW TO" make pine cone feeder to use with suet mix. I see they only put peanut butter and seed on this video, but the method of filling the pine cone is the same with suet mixture.

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See video from link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIx84emnOVI

Also, even though this video does not show winter feeding or suet feeders, it is worth a look!

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House Finches and Gold Finches at the bird feeders. See link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpcKp6N4MW8

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NESTING MATERIAL WE CAN MAKE AVAILABLE

I am beginning to gather up things to offer as nesting material for the birds. Even though it's still cold, especially in some areas, it's not too early to get material ready for them.

I plan to put string, yarn, along with some other things out in a square suet feeder. I cut the string and yarn in pieces about 4-8 inches long. The wire suet feeder keeps the material from blowing around but they can still reach it through the wire. There are lots of pine trees in Louisiana and moss that is available for them.

If any of you have other materials to add or ways to present it to the birds, please post a comment. I did not add everything I plan to offer. I thought perhaps the people on MYCHURCH could add some comments with tips. I would like to find even more ideas that I have not thought of.

Last year I know of one nest that Carolina Wrens built. I could see the parents building the nest in a hanging plant pot and I got to see some of the babies when they fledged the nest. I was so excited! :)

I love to know the birds feel welcome to build a nest here!