Read an Excerpt
Birds in Winter
As winter approaches, the weather gets colder and it is harder for birds to find food. The insects, worms, and seeds that birds usually eat start to disappear. Some types of bird migrate to warmer places for the winter. Other birds brave the cold and stay in one place all year round. You can help these birds by putting food out for them.
What You Will Need
Birdseed, raisins, peanuts, grated cheese, peanut butter/shortening, large pinecone or small clean yogurt container, string/yarn, scissors, small plastic water bottle, twigs/wooden skewers at least 12 inches (30 cm) long
Water Bottle Feeder
1. Make two holes on one side of a plastic water bottle with scissors, across from two holes you make on the other side.
2. Push twigs or wooden skewers through each hole on one side and across to a hole on the other side. These are for the birds to stand on.
3. Fill the bottle with birdseed.
4. Wrap string or yarn around the neck of the bottle and screw the cap on tight to hold it in place.
5. Hang the bottle outside where you can see it. Wait for the birds!
Pinecone or Yogurt Container Feeder
1. Mix 1/2 cup of birdseed, a handful of raisins, some peanuts, 2 tablespoons of grated cheese, and ¼ cup of peanut butter or shortening in a bowl.
2. Tie a length of string or yarn around the top of the pinecone and fill the spaces with the birdseed mixture. Or make a hole in the bottom of the yogurt container with scissors and push a piece of string or yarn through, securing it with a knot or with tape, and then fill with the birdseed mixture.
3. Hang the pinecone or yogurt container outside where you can see it. Wait for the birds!
