Home made bird feeders and a bit of twitching

Firstly, sincere apologies for the long silence here at Bee and the Bluebells. To use a classic cliche, we've been through some 'life changes'. I've left my job, the little wild one started preschool, the husband has been away a lot with work taking the computer with him...oh, and I'm pregnant... anyway, back on track now...

Last weekend we took part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch. Well, when I say we took part - this isn't strictly true. The little wild one loved making her homemade apple bird feeder and putting lots of yummy food out in the garden. We were getting very excited about it all and took up our seats in the window of the back bedroom...







13 minutes in, and after watching the same wood pigeon sitting on the fence post with its eyes closed, the novelty started to wear a little thin. That was enough for the little wild one! Not bad going for a 3 year old. I did the remaining 47 minutes alone (with a cup of tea, of course). Is this what they call 'me time'?! Our offerings of bread, grated cheese, seeds and nuts were not enough to tempt many of our feathered friends to venture out on such a cold and windy day. I'm sure they were all tucked up in their nests, and I don't blame them. The menacingly beautiful red kite soaring high over the garden probably didn't help either. Still, I added one wood pigeon, one robin and a chaffinch to the RSPB's total for the weekend and we had a great time making the apple bird feeder too:

Use a peeler to hollow out half the core of the apple
Make two holes in either side (I used a chopstick) and thread with string
Push seeds into the outside of the apple so it looks spikey
Fill the hollow in the centre with seeds, nuts etc
Hang in the tree!

Spot the robin about to enjoy his lunch in our pear tree...





Very happy to be joining in once again with Country Kids at Coombe Mill




 And BinkyLinky









8 comments:

  1. I never knew you could make a bird feeder using an apple! Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #BinkyLinky

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    1. Thanks Emily, I think it works well in winter as the cold weather we've been having keeps the apple fresh! Not sure about summer, you'd probably end up with a rotten mushy mess in no time!

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  2. What a great idea, we did some apple rings on string but putting seeds in them is far more creative and I'm sure the birds appreciated them too. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.

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    1. Oooh, apple rings, will have to try those next, thanks!

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  3. I would love to make these with the beans! And a big congrats to you on the new baby! Wishing you an outstanding week! Nicole xo

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    1. Thanks very much Nicole, it is good to be back on the blog again! Take care and keep warm and cosy in all that snow you have over there! X

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  4. Thanks for the instructions on how to make the apple feeder -- I have a rather sad apple that might make some birds quite happy!
    ~Lee
    pocketmousepublishing.com

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  5. Ours is still hanging in the tree a month later! the seeds have all been pecked away and the apple has holes, but in the cold weather it has stayed reasonably well preserved!

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