Learn about the natural world by making a bird feeder packed with delicious treats for our feathered friends. Who will visit?
- Mixing bowls
- Plates
- String
- Spoons
- Popsicle Sticks
- Pine cones
- Scissors
- Vegemite
- Bird seed
- Tablecloths or newspaper
- It’s up to you whether you use pine cones as bases or toilet paper rolls.
- If you’re using pine cones, put them on a heater or a sunny windowsill for a few hours to make sure they’re fully open.
- Cover tables with wipe clean tablecloths or newspaper, and set out the ingredients and equipment.
Everyone should take it in turns to share what they know about birds.
- How many different birds can everyone name?
- Can they see or hear any?
- Who can do the best bird impression?
- Explain that, as well as being beautiful to see and hear, birds are an important part of our ecosystems (where plants, animals, the weather, and the landscape work together to form a bubble of life).
- For example, some birds eat pests like aphids. Birds also spread seeds that grow into new plants when they eat fruit and poo out the seeds.
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Tie a piece of string around the top row of a pine cone’s scales so the pine cone can be hung up.
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Use your fingers or a popsicle stick to cover the pine cone with vegemite.
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Roll the covered pine cone in the bird food mixture until it is fully covered.
- Once finished, hang the feeder and wait to see which birds visit for a treat.
The bird feeders can get hung wherever works such as a tree, washing line, or balcony. But choose a quiet and sheltered spot, where birds will be able to enjoy their snack undisturbed.
Make a note of any birds you see eating from the feeder.
- Can anyone name any of them?
- Did they hear them make a sound?
- What colours did they notice?
This activity was a chance to help your community.
- How else can people help the natural world around them?
People could plant wildflowers for bees, pick up litter in the park or at the beach, or leave water out for birds. Making bird feeders was a little activity that was lots of fun – but it’ll make a big difference. There are lots of other small things people can do to help their communities.
- Can anyone think of any?
For less of a Challenge
- Use a toilet paper roll instead of a pine cone as it’s easier to cover with vegemite.
For more of a Challenge
- Plan and design your own bird feeder.
- Get creative choosing from different resources available.
- Think about adding a perch for birds to rest on while they snack.