Spring Creek Forest Preservation Society members would love the opportunity to teach children a little about the Garland’s beautiful preserve while they learn how to make bird feeders.
The eighth Christmas for the Birds will be held Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon at 1787 Holford Road, Garland. This is a super fun event for pre-school or elementary school-aged children. Bring them to the Park Preserve where they make bio-degradable bird feeders out of peanut butter and bird seed, then hang the feeders in our forest. Yes, people do get a bit messy. Some folks make their own feeders at home and bring them to hang on the trees. See below for make-at-home suggestions.
There will also be short nature walks to show children a little of our fabulous forest and prairie.
Biodegradable bird feeder ornaments should be hung with cotton yarn or string. The birds will use the string later for making their nests. Metal or plastic hangers, including fishing line are dangerous for birds and wildlife because they might ingest it and injure themselves. If you make bird feeder ornaments at home, please bring them to the park ready to hang.
Examples of biodegradable bird feeders
• Pine cones coated in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.
• Strings of fresh or dried berries.
• Suet balls (see recipe below)
• Strings of non-buttered popcorn.
Cookie cutter bird feeders (easily made by school age children with supervision)
• 1 small package original gelatin unflavored (Knox)
• ¼ cup Water
• 1 cup Birdseed
• Straws
• Waxed paper
• Cookie sheet and cookie cutters
• Ribbon, string, or twine
1. Place unflavored gelatin in a pot and add the water.
2. Bring it to a simmer while stirring until all of the gelatin is dissolved.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add the birdseed to the pan of water/ gelatin mix and blend well; the mixture will smell earthy.
5. Place waxed paper on the cookie sheet and put a cookie cutter on the waxed paper.
6. Spoon the bird seed mixture into the cookie cutter pressing it in firmly.
7. Cut a straw about 3 inches long and insert to make a hole for hanging.
8. Let it set up, then remove cookie cutter and straw.
9. Add a string to hang it.
No-melt suet balls
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup lard
• 2 cups quick-cook oatmeal
• 2 cups cornmeal