Feeding the birds this winter With the winter months upon us, birds have a difficult time finding food. Below are some different types of birdfeeders and treats your students can make so that they feel they are making a difference in helping the wildlife this winter. Birdseed Cookies
2 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup of sugar 2/3 cup shortening (Crisco) 2 eggs 3/4 cup birdseed (use small seeds) 3 egg whites cookie cutters yarn to hang cookies
Sift all the dry ingredients together and cut in the shortening with a blunt knife. Add the eggs. Add the birdseed and kneed until smooth. Allow the dough to chill overnight. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Insert a paper clip into the top of the shape to act as a hanger. Brush the cookie with beaten egg whites and press birdseed into the top of the cookie. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 325 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until the cookies are hard. String yarn through the paper clip to make a hanger and hang outside.
Bagel Bird Feeder
day old bagels vegetable shortening (Crisco) birdseed yarn for hanging
Spread shortening over the bagel and put the bagel into a bag of birdseed. Shake and remove. Loop yarn through the bagel to make a hanger and hang outside.
Pine Cone Bird Feeders
2 cups bread crumbs 1/2 cup unsalted nuts 2 - 3 chopped apples 2/3 cup of raisins 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornmeal 1/2 pound ground beef suet 1/2 cup flour 1 8 oz. jar of peanut butter 1 cup wild birdseed.
Mix ingredients together. Press into pine cones. Hang them outside and watch the birds feast!
Peanut, Popcorn, and Cranberry Strings
Using a needle, string unsalted, unshelled roasted peanuts, fresh cranberries, and popped popcorn on cotton string. String them around the trees and watch the birds enjoy!
2 Liter Bottle Feeders
Make a water feeder or seed feeder out of an empty plastic two liter bottle. Cut a hole just above the base and put water or birdseed inside the bottle. Punch a pencil or a wooden dowel through the bottle just under the hole to make a perch. Cut a wire coat hanger and bend both ends to make a hook. Insert the hook into each side of the bottle near the top. You can decorate the bottles using paint pens.
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