Nature is astounding, but sometimes it may be difficult to connect with the beauty of nature in a metropolitan city. Despite this, there are a number of ways to do so without venturing out into the wild. Take for example, building a birdhouse and feeder to help you see various species of birds up-close-and-personal in your own garden. There’s nothing quite like the sight of a colourful bird making its way through your garden, or the melodic sounds of birds chirping in the distance.
To help you in your quest to build a birdhouse and feeder for your garden, have a look at the top 3 DIY projects that are easy and cheap to make:
1. Plastic bottle birdhouse
Plastic is known to be a huge pollutant of the environment, causing many animal species, including birds, to die. In this scenario, plastic will actually be helping the birds in your area. A birdhouse made from a plastic bottle is a great way to re-use/upcycle materials and contribute to environmental sustainability.
All you need is a 2-litre bottle, a puncturing tool, perch sticks that are about 20cm long and 2cm thick, a metal screw hook, and glue.
Instructions:
● Start off by cleaning the bottle. Remove the label and empty its contents. Sanitise the inside with a diluted bleach solution and then leave the bottle to airdry overnight without its cap on.
● Puncture the bottle cap and place the metal hook in the bottle cap. Add glue onto the hook to secure it in place.
● Cut holes on each side of the bottle. They should be able to fit the circumference of the perch sticks. The holes should be about 5 to 7cm from the bottom of the bottle. Cut another hole a few centimetres above the first one and insert the perch sticks all the way through the bottle.
● Cut feeding oval holes that are 2 to 5cm above each perching stick. They should be 0,5cm wide. You can make the holes bigger if you’re using bigger seeds. These holes will be where the birds feed on the seeds.
● Add your desired seed type to the bottle.
● Hang the bottle up on a branch using the metal hook
2. Cookie cutter bird feeder
This bird feeder is quite simple to make. All you need is a cup of birdseed, cookie cutters and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
Instructions:
● Melt the coconut oil in the microwave
● Add the birdseeds
● Place the mixture in the cookie cutters
● Poke a hole at the top of each ‘cookie’
● Put your feeders in the fridge so that they can harden
● Hang them up onto a tree with a ribbon or string
NB: This type of birdfeeder works best in winter/colder weather as the coconut oil will melt in summer or hot weather.
3. Pine cone bird feeder
Making bird feeders can be inexpensive and this is proven by the pine cone bird feeder. All you need are pine cones, peanut butter, bird seed, a popsicle stick, a scissor, a bowl, a paper plate and string.
Instructions:
● Place a pine cone on a paper plate and spread some peanut butter on it
● Sprinkle some bird seeds on the pine cone until the peanut butter is covered
● Weave a piece of string in the pine cone and hang it up on a tree.
For the avid birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to see more birds in your garden. With the 3 inexpensive birdhouses and feeders listed above, you can create a welcoming atmosphere for the birdlife in your area.
