February is the official month to recognize feeding wild birds. We have always had feeders and suet cakes in our yard during the cold months. My husband and I welcome the nuthatches, finches, black-capped chickadees, sparrows, cardinals, woodpeckers (several species) and more each day. Right now the blue birds are also frequenting our bird-feeding station, which is such a treat to see. I will say that we are not as enthusiastic about the pesky squirrels who raid the seed and cakes. 😒Interest in birds was fostered in me growing up as we had fun feeding and identifying our feathered friends. My family had guide books for reference where we would also mark and date appropriate pages when a less common species would wing its way into our forested backyard.
Our dogs have become "birders" who occasionally keep an eye on things from inside!
I previously shared this recipe for homemade seed cakes. You can click here to see that post and pictures.
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| She is very interested in the feeder. |
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| She likes watching birds and deer! |
I previously shared this recipe for homemade seed cakes. You can click here to see that post and pictures.
Birdseed "Tweets"
1 envelope of gelatin mix
1/2 cup warm water
3 T corn syrup
3/4 cup flour
4 cups birdseed
spray oil
Bundt pan or "open" (on both top and bottom) cookie cutters to form cakes.
In a large bowl, whisk together an envelope of gelatin mix and 1/2 cup warm water. Slowly add in corn syrup and flour, making certain there are no lumps. Stir in birdseed, a bit at a time, until all is well coated and everything is fully incorporated. If using a Bundt pan, spray before pressing in the birdseed mixture. If using cookie cutters, lightly spray before spooning in and then firmly pressing in the mixture. Insert a small piece of a drinking straw if using cookie cutters so that you will have a place to insert your twine or ribbon later.
Birdseed cakes take at least 24 hours to fully dry. I placed mine in the refrigerator for a full day. The surface should be so hard that you are unable to leave any indentation on the cake before gently removing from pans.
Hang your wreath or ornaments with twine or ribbon.
Look here to print the recipe.
This idea, which was also featured in a previous post, is a quick and efficient way to fill your feeders. Click here to revisit that post.
As I write this, big fluffy flakes are covering the landscape. We had some sleet earlier and the snow is supposed to continue all night. Schools were closed today and I would anticipate the same to be true tomorrow. A quick glance out the window confirms that there are visitors at the feeders. It's a good day for feeding and watching the birds!