I don’t know about you, but I have noticed that the birds in my garden seem to get very hungry towards the end of January/the beginning of February. I question if this is due to them embracing weeks of cold temperatures and their food stocks are beginning to dwindle. What I do know though, is that you really can’t beat a garden full of birds, they really do bring a sense of peace and they provide the perfect opportunity to engage with wildlife, without having the leave the house.
What I am certain of is that these little visitors do need extra nourishment to survive the colder nights that Winter brings. Therefore, why not try making some bird treats with your children? Not only is this a fun, hands-on experience but it may also be a fantastic opportunity to attract more birds for children to enjoy and spot. In fact, why not encourage children to make a little journal of the feathery friends they attract?
Therefore, today I’m going to share with you a Fat Ball recipe, and trust me these are very simple to make!
What you will need:
Solid vegetable oil, beef suet, or lard.
Bird Seed Mix
The Method:
1. Mix one part suet, to two parts birdseed in a saucepan, heating gently. Keep stirring until the fat melts.
2. Use your hands (or an ice cream scoop) to mould the mixture into a ball, but please make sure it is cool enough to handle! You may want to also hang the fat balls from a tree, so if this is the case, thread some string through them.
3. Put the balls into a plastic container, make sure you space them apart and place them in the freezer until they become firm.
4. Once they are solid, place them in the garden, on a bird feeder, in a fat-ball feeder, or hang from a tree!
See there really isn’t anything to it! Not only will children enjoy this hands-on experience, but the birds will be grateful too!
