Today was an absolutely GORGEOUS day where I live…..the beginning of what promises to be a GORGEOUS weekend! Ahhhh….it does my heart good to see the snow disappearing as the mercury in the thermometer rises.
Another thing that does my heart good to see? BIRDS! My son and I spotted some robins pecking around in the backyard today and it got me thinking about a cute little project I’d seen recently designed to help our fine-feathered friends to build their nests this spring!
Just add a couple of handfuls of yarn scraps to an inexpensive suet feeder and hang outside where the birds can find it. Then be on the lookout for birds nests in your neighborhood featuring your “building materials”. I am definitely putting one of these up for my bird buddies this weekend!
Yarn Bird Feeder
by Juniper Moon Farm
“Birds fly over the rainbow, Why then – oh, why can’t I? If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow why, oh why, can’t I?”
— E.Y. Harburg
And if you’re still feeling crafty after that little project….here are a few more to help FEED the birds. (They’re going to be HUNGRY after all that nest construction!)
Biodegradable Orange Birdfeeder
by Rhythm of the Home
Nearly two billion dollars a year are spent on birdhouses, birdfeeders, wild bird food, and related items. Feeding birds is both good for the birds and the soul.
Ornithology.com
. . The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes, and knowing no bounds . . .
— John Burroughs, Birds and Poets, 1887
Pinecone Feeder
by National Geographic for Kids
“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”
— Robert Lynd
“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings”
— James Matthew Barrie
Other ingredients that you can add to bird treats or just set out on your feeder are: Ground eggs shells, fine gravel or sand (for grit), cheese, dry cereal, coconut (raw), cornbread, cracker crumbs, dog biscuits (chopped fine), ears of sweet corn and watermelon pulp. Don’t forget the seeds from all of your veggies!
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Helping provide food and shelter to our bird buddies is today’s…..
That's such a good idea. Being a crafter I have loads of yarn and fabric snippets so will definitely putting one of these out for our birdies. Thank you. Shaz x (FYI – I saw your article via Pinterest)
Heads up though, baby birds can get their legs tangled in long pieces of hair/yarn/etc. These entrapped limbs can have their circulation cut off to the point the bird loses it.
Keep the yarn and stuff short to help prevent tangling. I used to leave my horses long mane/tale hair out for birds, but then I started cutting the hair up for them.
WOW! Never would have thought of this! THanks!!
You've credited the wrong person on your "Over the Rainbow" lyrics. "The Wizard of Oz" WAS written by L. Frank Baum, but the song "Over the Rainbow" was not part of the book.
The movie was made at a time when just about every single movie had a song in in somewhere. The lyrics were actually written by E. Y. Harburg, and it was composed by Harold Arlen.
Chicken Scratch is just Chicken Feed. You buy it at a feed store, it is cheap for such a large bag…..
Great Idea! I added it to my pinterest board. Thanks for sharing.
Lori
Here’s a good question…. Would you think it was bad if someone started throwing yarn all over the ground and on the streets? You’d call that littering and it is wrong! So how can this NOT be considered littering, yes birds are using it for nests but those nests are abandoned every year, they fall from trees, etc.
Also birds are likely to drop some of these yarn pieces while in flight, again littering. Who is responsible LOL
Sorry just had to be the technical jerk I usually am :)
Don’t get me wrong this is a good idea and a nice way to help the birds build their nests…
Dryer lint is a great addition to nestbuilding as well and not harmful to baby birds limbs.
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http://community.birdsandblooms.com/forums/p/337969/3866793.aspx
Please don’t use dryer lint. It can hold moisture and kill baby birds, as well as choke them because the particals are so fine. It’s even more toxic if you use any chemical agents to wash or dry your clothes.