We love wildlife gardening at Kids of The Wild and there’s something really satisfying about putting a homemade bird feeder in the garden, especially when the kids have made it.

In this super-easy tutorial learn how to make your own hanging coconut fat feeder to encourage garden birds.

Make it now and the birds will be using it in time for your children to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January.

You will need:

  • Half a coconut (saved from a shop-bought feeder and well-cleaned)
  • Lard
  • Bird seeds, raisins, meal worms etc

image of half a coconut containing fat, seed and mealworm

What to do:

  1. Thoroughly clean the coconut shell if re-using one that birds have previously fed on. Use a bird-safe disinfectant such as Ark-Klens
  2. On a low heat in an old pan gently melt just over a third of a packet of lard
  3. Place the coconut shell on a bowl or old takeaway container for stability and to catch spills
  4. Carefully pour the lard, a little at a time, into the coconut shell
  5. Add seeds, raisins and meal worm as you go
  6. Top with a layer of sesame seeds if you have them and stick meal worms out of the fat
  7. Allow to cool and harden – around 60 to 90 minutes
  8. Hang in a tree and wait for the birds

image of melted-lard-being-poured-from-pan-into-half-coconut-feeder-with-seeds-in

Let me know how you get on and why not send some photos to the Kids of the Wild Facebook page?

More Information

Did you know you should feed garden birds all year round? For detailed information on what to feed garden birds read my post encourage garden birds all year round.

To learn how to site and hang a bird nest box read my post love nests for Valentine’s Day.

Try these ideas from a lovely blog called WilderChild; decorating an outdoor tree for birds including an alternative to our coconut feeder using orange peel halves, and for younger kids, throw a birthday party for the birds.

To find out about feeding wild ducks read my duck feeding guide.

Get the Gear

Don’t forget to sign up to the Big Garden Birdwatch.

These little i-Spy books are only a couple of pounds and perfect for inspiring children to go birdspotting. Click on the images for best prices at Amázon.

#CountryKids