DIY: Make Some Pinecone Bird Feeders For Your Winter Garden

Make some DIY Pinecone Bird Feeders

DIY Pinecone Bird Feeders: A Fun and Eco Friendly Activity

As the days grow colder, our feathered friends can benefit from a little extra help finding food. Creating DIY pinecone bird feeders is a fun and environmentally friendly way to support local bird populations while adding charm to your garden. This simple craft is perfect for all ages, making it an ideal activity for families, classrooms, or anyone looking to connect with nature.

Materials You’ll Need

To get started, gather the following supplies:

Large pinecones (collected from your garden or nearby)
Natural peanut butter
Birdseed mix (opt for seeds suitable for local bird species)
Twine or string (checking for the ones without plastic)
Butter knife or spoon for spreading
Wax Paper or a tray for easy cleanup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Pinecones:

Shake out or brush off any debris from the pinecones. If they’re closed, place them in a warm spot for a day or two to open up naturally. We popped ours on the radiator for a 10 mins watching them open up.

Attach a loop of spring to the top of each pinecone, tying it securely. This will serve as the hanger.

Spread the Peanut Butter:

Use a knife or spoon to generously coat the pinecone with peanut butter to aid as something for the bird seed to stick too. Make sure to get into the crevices to create a sticky base for the seeds.

Roll in Birdseed:

Pour birdseed onto a plate or shallow dish. Roll the coated pinecone in the seeds, pressing gently to ensure they adhere. For added variety, you can sprinkle additional seeds or dried fruit onto the surface.

Hang Your Bird Feeders:

Choose sturdy branches in your garden or outdoor space to hang the pinecones. Place them in areas where birds can easily perch and away from heavy foot traffic or predators.

Pinecone Feeders Are Beneficial As They:

Support Wildlife: These feeders provide a high energy snack for birds, especially during colder months when food sources are scarce.

Eco-Friendly: Made with natural and biodegradable materials, they leave no lasting environmental footprint.

Educational: Crafting bird feeders is a hands on way to learn about local bird species and their diets.

Cost Effective: Using materials you likely already have at home, this project is budget friendly.

Tips for Success

Choose the Right Seeds: Research the birds in your area to ensure your seed mix meets their nutritional needs.

Allergy Alert: If you or someone participating has a peanut allergy, substitute peanut butter with a nut free spread or suet.

Placement Matters: Hang feeders in a quiet spot where birds feel safe and can easily access the food, especially the smaller birds.

Cleanup: After the season, collect the twine and any remaining pinecone pieces to keep your space tidy and reuse for next Winter.

Making pinecone bird feeders is more than just a fun crafting activity, it’s an opportunity to give back to nature and observe the beauty of birds up close. Whether you’re crafting solo or with others, this activity fosters a sense of connection with the environment. So, gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy this simple yet impactful way to brighten the day for your local birds!

DIY Pinecone Bird Feeder Video Reel

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A post shared by KATRINA & CLAYTON | Food Forest Gardening (@buildingafoodforest_scotland)

Watch On You Tube: Making Pinecone Bird Feeders With Katrina & Clayton

Katrina & Clayton and family live in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The 2 Grow and Learn Courses with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society This Year. Clayton has just turned 17, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 7yrs. Katrina & Peter both hold their PDC Permaculture Design Course from Oregon State University

They featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens Ep23 2022 and returned in 2023 for an update,Katrina & Clayton are also columnists for ScotlandGrows Magazine, Guest Blog for Caledonian Horticulture as well as working with Gardeners’ World Magazine and many other brands. They are also Authors of the new children’s book: Clayton’s New Garden Journey: A Story of Autism and Growing available on Amazon

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Author of the new children’s book series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: A Story of Autism and Gardening and Sowing, Growing, Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon