Peanut butter feeders

Here is a simple, easy-to-make bird feeder that would make a great gift for the bird lover on your list! James and Steve spent some time this weekend working on a few while the girls were napping.

Peanut Butter Bird Feeder

Materials:
A large branch, about 2" to 3" in diameter
Several small sticks to use as perches
1 eye screw
Piece of twine

Tools:
Drill
small bit for pilot holes
1 1/4" spade bit


Step 1:  Cut the branch to about 16"


Step 2: Drill a pilot hole directly in the center and all the way through the branch, about 2" in from one cut end.  Turn the branch 90 degrees and drill another, about 3" down from the first.  Do this again and again until you have 4 pilot holes, two on one side, two on another.

Step 3:  Go back and re-drill each hole with the 1 1/4" spade bit.


Step 4: Drill a small hole about 1/2" deep underneath each of the large holes.  Cut twigs (or dowels) to about 2" and pound them into the holes to make little perches.  (Leave one side of each hole without a perch, as many of the little songbirds that will come for the peanut butter prefer to cling to the bark of the log than to sit on a perch.)

 Step 5:  Screw the eye screw into the wood at the top of your feeder, and attach the piece of twine for hanging it.  We also like to attach a little card with a recipe for the peanut butter mixture (recipe below).

 You're finished!

Peanut butter bird feed recipe:

1 1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup fresh ground suet
3 cups yellow corn meal
1/2 cup dry rolled oats
1/2 cup flour

1.  Blend suet and peanut butter together in microwave sfe bowl, melting slightly if necessary.
2.  Add dry ingredients and blend until mixture reaches a play-dough consistency, adding a little    more cornmeal or peanut butter if needed to achieve desired consistency.
3.  Pack ino the holes in the feeder.
4.  Hang outside and enjoy!