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The sun may be shining today but winter weather is on its way. This DIY Suet Bird Feeder will be a welcome sight for our feathered friends and they will reward you by hanging around your yard and providing glimpses of them all winter long. The recipe below allows you to make your own suet. Encourage the kids to keep a record of the different birds that come to feed. Buy a book to help identify the different species.

Supplies

• 3 1/2 cups wild bird seed
• 3/4 cups nut butter
• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 1/2 cup corn meal
• 1 cup quick oats
• Ice cube tray

Instructions

1. Mix bird seed, oats, and corn meal together and set aside.
2. Combine shortening and nut butter in a separate bowl and melt. Combine completely.
3. Pour the melted shortening and nut butter into the seed, corn mean and oats and stir.
4. Spoon mixture into the ice cube tray.
5. After freezing for one to two hours place in your suet feeder!

Note: Not appropriate for outdoor temperatures above 50 degrees.

Books kids might like to read to identify different birds:

National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America by Jonathan Alderfer

The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guides) by Bill Thompson III

Backyard Birds (Field Guides for Young Naturalists) by Karen Stray Nolting and Jonathan Latimer