I really want to encourage more birds into the garden. I have tried, and failed, to entice goldfinches and during the recent snow we made sure the birds had food.
It may be a sign of ageing, but it is fascinating watching them. If funds permitted, I'd treat them to meal worms and things that wriggle but that may have to wait awhile.
Fat balls are easy to make, and I have some lard in the fridge (it's super cheap) so that I can whip up a few flower pot shaped ones if and when the desire strikes.
It's something I wanted to do at gardening club but have been put off, unsurprisingly, by the hot fat element. But last term we did make some bird food -- the easy way.
I toasted some slices of bread at home and made a hole at the top with a straw. At school the children then slathered the bread in peanut butter and pressed birdseed onto it. We then hung it on the branches where it disappeared into, I'm hoping, some feathered tums.
