Summer

How to Make a Bird Feeder

make your own bird feeder with the kids

If you want to enjoy British wildlife in your garden all year round, a bird feeder is the perfect way to do it. It’s also a great exercise to do with the kids and teach them the importance of responsibilities as they can be easily tasked with keeping the bird feeder filled with seeds all year round.

In this handy guide, we’ll show you how to make a simple bird feeder from scratch using a leftover plastic bottle.

Let’s start with what you’ll need.

Materials:

  1. Prepare your bottle

    Make sure your bottle has been cleaned and dried before you get started. Then, with the cap on, poke three or four drainage holes in the bottom of the bottle with your pin.
  2. Make space for your sticks

    Using the same pin, make a hole on either side of the bottle – taking care to ensure they line up. Then make two more level holes slightly further up on the opposite sides. Once your holes are in place, use your scissors to carefully widen them.
  3. Give the birds a perch

    Now your holes are wide enough for your sticks, push one through each set of holes – leaving around 5cm of stick outside the bottle on either side for the birds to perch on.
  4. Cut a feeding hole

    Slightly above each perch, cut larger holes for feeding. You want it to be large enough that birds can easily get seeds out of it – but not so large that the seeds fall out due to the the wind or get wet when it rains, so aim for around 7/8mm width.
  5. Give your feeder a handle

    On the neck of your bottle, make two holes – one on either side. Widen them with your scissors, then feed your wire or string through and tie it in a loop.
  6. Fill it with feed

    Once your bottle is finished, unscrew the cap and pour in your birdseed. If you’re worried about spilling any, just keep a finger over each feeding hole until you’re done.
  7. Location, location, location

    With the bird feeder now full, the last thing you have to do is decide where to put it. Find a sheltered tree branch or washing line and tie it on. Then, just sit back and wait for the birds to discover their brand-new feeder. TOP TIP: If your feeder starts to get mouldy or wear away through weather and use – just take it down, remove the string and recycle the bottle. Then, it’s quick and easy to create a fresh one.


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