Bird Seed Treats
Though spring arrived last week, in Vermont it’s often little more than a technicality. April snowstorms are not unheard of, and I remember seeing budding forsythia and lilacs weighed down by an early May snow just a few years ago. It’s a confusing time of year for flora and fauna alike. I like to ease the transition for our feathered friends—the returning birds as well as those who’ve spent the winter—by offering them peanut butter birdseed treats, hung from tree branches. These, by the way, make an excellent craft project to do with children.Happy Spring!
Bird Seed Treats
Here’s what you’ll need:
Fine-grained, sturdy bread
Creamy peanut butter
Bird seed
Cookie cutters
Chopstick or straw
Yarn or twine
How to do it:
Cut shapes from slices of bread with a cookie cutter. Poke a hole near the top of the bread with the straw or a chopstick. Thread a piece of yarn or twine through the hole and tie the ends to make a loop. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on both sides of the bread, then press into a tray of bird seed.
Tips:
Rustic bread that comes in large slices works best here; choose a loaf that’s on the firm, dense side. Fresh, soft bread may be difficult to hang without tearing. You can let the slices sit out for a few hours to overnight to “stale” them.
For the seed, you can buy a general wild-bird mix that includes sunflower seeds, millet, thistle, safflower seeds, and cracked corn.
According to bird experts, it is safe to feed birds peanut butter. However, if you are concerned about the possibility of choking, you can add a little cornmeal to the peanut butter.
It’s easier to thread the twine or yarn through the bread before the peanut butter and seeds are applied. Save the pieces of twine that come with our cookie cutters; they’re just the right length for this project!
My favorite shapes for Bird Seed Treats are the Cardinal cookie cutter, the Oak Leaf cookie cutter, and the Heart and Home cookie cutter.
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| I love to bake cookies—it’s relaxing, creative, and the results are delicious! When I couldn’t find the right shapes and a good American-made supplier I decided to start my own company. We make sturdy tin and copper cutters in more than 200 shapes, and the list is always growing. Come and have a look; you’re sure to find the perfect cookie cutter for any occasion. |
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