The temperatures are starting to drop and it’s time to start thinking about how we can help wildlife get through the harsh winter months. The cold winter weather increases a birds caloric requirements. This is really bad because in the winter a birds food source is scarce. There are no bugs flying around, and other food sources like seeds, weeds, and nuts
are gone or covered up by snow.
A great winter project is to get the kids involved in the kitchen to make some Wild Bird Food or a Bird Cake.
Wild Bird Food
1 cup beef suet or shortening
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups wild bird seed
4 cups corn meal
Melt shortening in pan. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Add bird seed and corn meal. Mix and spoon into disposable containers or onto pine cones and hang in trees.
1 cup flour
1 cup corn meal
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup suet, fat or peanut butter
Mix flour, corn meal, and oatmeal. Moisten with milk. Add some raisins and peanuts. Blend in suet, fat or peanut butter. Bake in muffin cups at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes or until brown. Cool. Cut in half and put out for the birds.
It is also important to provide water and shelter for birds in the winter. Now is the time to start thinking about placing a bird bath, bird house or nesting house in your yard.