DIY Bird Feeders

Anyone feeling crafty? 

If crafting doesn't come naturally to you, don't panic... This one's EASY! And has the added bonus of giving a helping hand to our feathered friends.

What you need:

• Bird Seed
• Peanut Butter
• Toilet Roll Tube
• String
• Knife
• Scissors
• Hole Punch (Optional)

Looking simple so far...

Method:

Step 1:
Make a hole near the end of your toilet tube. We went for the safety first approach and used a hole punch. For the more rebellious types out there you can use the scissors, just remember to watch your fingers!

Step 2:
Smother your holey toilet roll tube in peanut butter. We used a knife, but anything spreadable works... Yes, that can mean fingers...

Step 3:
Grab the seeds and get sprinkling! It was raining so we tried to keep tidy with a tray. If it's a nice day, why not head outside, the birds will thank you for making a little mess...

Step 4:
Remember that hole you made? Thread some string through it. You can tie a loop in it now if you know where the feeder is going. If not, wait until you're ready to hang it, just in case you need to tie it around something. Like we did:

Step 5:

Hang it! The bird's in Alex's garden seem to love perching in the hanging baskets.

​Job done!

The birds will thank your few minutes of not so hard work. They might even peck the tube to pieces and fly away with it to line their nests. Aww.

Now you've done it once, you can get creative! Here's some suggestions:

• Allergy sufferers, swap peanut butter for lard.
• Try a pine cone instead of a toilet roll.
• Remember those kitchen scraps you've been hiding away in the freezer? Create a tasty treat with a mix of bacon rinds, bread crumbs, fruit and veg etc.

Who knew toilet rolls could be so much fun...

A little note from Alex...

In previous years we have applied for grants to enable us to do large projects during Sustainable September. Local residents may have noticed the underpass mural or the sculpture outside St. Nicholas Church. Well this year we're doing things a little differently with lots of small activities spread throughout the month, rather than one or two big ones. Sometimes I've been asked is it worth it? It's a lot of work for maybe not so much of a noticeable difference...

The answer is simple. Yes. Sometimes the difference goes unnoticed but has much more of an impact than you realise, because sustainable communities are just as important as everything else we've talked about so far. What makes a sustainable community? Social interactions, fun and laughter, inspiring each other... team work. 

I was talking to Debbie, one of our event volunteers a while ago about Sustainable September. We talked about the planned events, the photo competition and the blog. One of the things that came up was showing people how to make bird feeders out of stuff you might find around your house. I planned on posting this a bit later in September, but then yesterday I received this and couldn't resist bumping it up the calendar...

From the residents of Nutfield House...

After hearing about Sustainable September, the residents of Nutfield House - Filton, with the help of their activities coordinator and carers had been saving up their own recycling to have a go themselves. They ran two sessions making bird feeders out of what they had collected and put their creations to good work in the gardens. It might seem such a small thing, but they've brought their friends together, kept their minds and bodies active all while doing something great for the wildlife sharing their home. Well done to everyone who got involved throughout the project!

It doesn't matter who you are, what your abilities are or what community you're from, there is always something you can do towards sustainable living.

There's just one last little thing we wanted to say...​

You're both doing great! Keep up the good work everybody!