LEARN TO

Birds will flock to pinecone seed feeders.

These easy to make, natural looking feeders can be hung unobtrusively throughout trees and shrubs. Hang the finished pinecones from the tips of branches to thwart greedy squirrels.

This makes a good project to share with older children. With an adult on hand to dip the pinecone into melted suet, a child can roll the coated pinecone in seeds, assembly-line style. Wearing gloves will give an added measure of protection against contact with hot suet.

Suet, after being rendered but before resolidifying, can be used to make inexpensive pinecone feeders by the dozens, which can be hung all around the backyard. During the winter, you can decorate a pine tree to create a special holiday tree for the birds, and give the cones as gifts to friends who like to feed birds.

When you find pinecones on the ground during strolls through local parks, woodlands, or even in your own backyard, gather a good collection of them and keep them in a cool, dry location, such as a garage or basement, until you're ready to try this project.

All-Season Tip

If working with younger children, substitute peanut butter for suet, and spread it over the pinecone with a plastic spoon before rolling the cone in seeds.

Materials

Pinecones (up to a half dozen)
1 lb. (454 g) ground suet
1⁄2 lb. (227 g) quality commercial birdseed mix, chopped nuts, bits of fruit, coconut flakes, oats, cornmeal, or a combination of these ingredients
Nylon fishing line, thin wire, or twine
Rubber gloves
Disposable pie pan or inexpensive flowerpot saucer
Aluminum foil
Baking sheet

Here's how to make pinecone suet feeders:

1. Wrap about 2' (0.5 m) of string or wire around the large end of the pinecone. Tie or twist to secure it.

2. Gather a mix of whatever you want to coat the pinecone with, including seeds, small nuts, bits of fruit, and other edibles from the materials list. Mound your custom blend in a shallow pan or bowl large enough to accommodate the length of your pinecones. (Disposable pie tins or flowerpot saucers are ideal.)

3. Render your suet. If you plan to use these feeders in warmer weather, follow the directions for rendering it twice.

 

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