DIY: Pinecone bird feeders

Published 12:03 pm Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Angela Moller is the designer and artist at Homestead Design, a handcrafted home decor business she and her husband, Matt, operate from their local acreage. A few of Angela’s favorite things include graphic design, home decor, nature and learning activities for children.

This simple, family-friendly activity is a win-win for wildlife and people alike. The birds love a tasty mid-winter treat, and we can enjoy watching the different varieties that come to visit. Once the birds learn your yard is a good place to find a snack, they’ll tell their friends. Feeding the birds can become a fun hobby. Albert Lea Audubon Society is a great resource for ideas and advice.

What you will need:

• Birdseed (choose a variety based on which birds already frequent your yard or which types you’d like to attract)

• Peanut butter (in case of allergies, sunflower butter can also work)

• Twine or jute string

• Pinecones

• Scissors

: Gather a few pinecones from your yard or a city park. The large, round ones from our state tree, the Norway pine, are perfect for this project, but you can make do with smaller, narrow pinecones if needed. Pinecones that are closed can be baked on a pan in the oven for 10 minutes at 300 degrees (under close supervision) to open the petals.

: Spread peanut butter or sunflower butter between the petals of the pinecone using a butter knife or popsicle stick.

: Spread or roll the coated pinecone in birdseed.

: Tie a length of twine or jute string around the pinecone, leaving a long enough end to tie a loop.

: String together multiple pinecones to make a garland.

: Hang pinecones and drape garland around trees and shrubs in your yard. Place some near your windows so you can enjoy the view when the birds come to visit!