Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all

Any good ideas for bird feeders, insect homes, bird/bat boxes etc made from recycled materials with pics if possible. Sorry if I'm asking a bit much, need some good ideas (have a few of my own) but know there are loads more out there from you experienced grapes. Need help for the 'School Garden Challenge' I am involved with.

Thanks in anticipation of your response!

Hiya, 1/2 litre milk/juice cartons hung up full of seed make good feeders, cut small horizontal slots parallel with the bottom on two sides about 25mm up to feed from, not to big as the seed will flow out. Or just drill a series of small holes. Push a decent twig through the same sides just above the bottom for perches. The screw top types are easy to fill but the squeeze, squash & slop types will also work. Shove a wire or string through the sides near the top and there you have it. The waxy card will last quite a long time (it would be interesting to know if the birds prefer full cream or skimmed cartons).

A branch or log around 150 to 200mm diameter with multiple 8mm holes or similar drilled deeply into it makes a good insect high rise home when hung up in a hedge etc. Kids love drilling things to bits!

Hope this helps, M

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thanks martyn for your post and welcome, good idea!

HI, Mrsc2b

Tie together some short lengths of bamboo for ladybirds/bumblebees (it has a hollow centre) and tie in a bush. There is one insect (can't remember which one) which likes to rest/nest in a bunch of twigs tied together.

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Thanks Epsom and welcome, we are in the process of making these

You could also cut the top & bottom off a pop bottle & fill the centre with straw, hollow canes etc. & hang that up as an insect/bee house. I made some 'fat ball' holders out of old wire coathangers by twisting them round to make a spiral & they seem to work, not many people have wire coathangers nowadays though unless you get them from the dry cleaners. Pics. attached.

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wow Sue I love them, what mixture did you use for your feed? any other info please?

Simple but effective SueA. I'll never view a wire coat hanger the same again!

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The fat balls in the pics. were actually bought in ones, I took them out of the green nets they came in as birds can get their feet caught in the nets. I do make my own fat balls as well though & hang them up in half coconut shells (originally bought ready filled but easy to refill or plastic yogurt pots or pudding basins (mini xmas puds etc.) You can also just hang the fat ball up by itself if you put a string in the mixture before it sets. To make the fat balls all you need is some lard (available really cheap from supermarket) or you could strain off the fat from your roast etc., melt the lard/fat in a pan & then stir in whatever you have available, I use bird seed, old pieces of fruit cake, peanuts (not salted!), bits of grated cheese, biscuit crumbs etc.until you have a fairly stiff mixture. Spoon this out into whatever container you've chosen (lined with clingfilm it's easier to get it out if you just want to hang the ball up by itself), push a piece of string down into it & leave to set. If you're not bothered about the shape of the balls the kids would enjoy getting sticky & moulding them with their hands into ball shapes once the fat has cooled a bit!

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Into every life a little rain must fall.