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Bird Cake Recipe

You will need:

• Empty and clean yoghurt pots
• 40cm piece of string
• 1 cup of lard or beef suet
• 2 cups of seed mix or nuts
• Saucepan
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Scissors

Method:

1. First of all, ask a grown-up to help you make a hole in the bottom of the yoghurt pots and then thread a piece of the string through each hole. Tie a knot in it so it will not come back through the bottom.
2. Put the lard or suet in a saucepan and heat gently until it has melted. While you wait, add the seeds or nuts in a mixing bowl.
3. When the lard or suet has melted, ask your grown-up helper to pour it into the mixing bowl. Be extremely careful as it will be very hot.
4. Mix with a wooden spoon and put into the yoghurt pots. You can then put them in the fridge or freezer to speed up the setting process.
5. When the mixture has set cut the yoghurt pot in half so that it comes away from the cake.
6. Hang the bird cake outside. Don't leave it on the ground as it might attract rats.

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Top Tips

When to feed
Ideally wintertime is a good time to start feeding your garden birds, but sometimes food can be scarce during the summer months, so by feeding all year round you give them the best chance to survive. Plus you get to see and know your garden visitors.

Where to place your bird table
Try to keep your Bird Table away from trees as cats and squirrels can be a hazard. Also, do not place near doors or windows for the first few weeks as we humans can be quite frightening to our garden visitors.

Hanging feeders
These are an ideal choice if space in your garden is limited. Try and vary the heights of the feeders as different birds enjoy different levels. Make sure you hang them where you can see and enjoy them.

How to attract birds
The simple answer is to provide water and food continuously. Be patient as it may take several weeks for the birds to realise they have a feast waiting for them.

When to feed
First thing in the morning and last thing at night is the ideal time as birds will be feeling a bit 'peckish' (sorry!). Did you know more birds die of thirst than hunger!

What not to feed
Whole peanuts: do not feed whole peanuts during the breeding season as the young chicks can choke on them. Either try chopped peanut hearts or chop up whole ones yourself.

Hygiene
Its important to regularly give your feeders, tables and drinking water a good clean out with disinfectant to help keep your wild visitors healthy.

 

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