"Decorating a tree for the birds is a fun and easy activity," explained Jim Carpenter, president and CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.
Not only is it a lot of fun and a great family activity to enjoy together; but *Things Have Changed*! Scroll down for the recipes right now if you don't believe me. It's not just hanging pinecones and stringing popcorn any more.
Here's how to pamper your local feathered friends with a super smorgasbord. Begin with a tree. A growing evergreen or another tree that won't lose its leaves would be best, but use what you have. The tree needs to be sturdy to support all the birds, the treats, and any possible occasional four-legged bushy tailed thief.
Next, be sure it's close to a window for the best viewing and maybe even some great photographs. (Need a field guide?) (Got film?)
Now decorate! Your tree can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. You could create the now classic country-theme homespun version or do the urban chic thing or perhaps even decorate around a Victorian color scheme. But the real secret to success is to decorate with bird-approved edibles.
Quality bird fare today goes far beyond the stale pinecone smeared with peanut butter you made when you were five years old. Try some of these suggestions from Wild Birds Unlimited for starters: drape dried ears of corn (complete with husks) or clusters of red seedless grapes. Dangle rice cakes and homemade birdseed cookies. Hang colorful crabapples by their stems. If you must string garlands, try fresh cranberries, fat juicy orange slices, peanuts still in the shell, dried apple slices and dried figs.
Have your heart set on pinecones for your tree, like I do? Go ahead and pack them with suet and birdseed or with peanut butter and cornmeal.(Scroll down for more recipes.) Popcorn on string is still okay, too! Finally, if you're really going for broke on this one, litter the ground beneath your tree with peanuts in the shell and whole walnuts.
And Whooee - if your house is like my house, remember to tell your family and friends to keep their "hands, paws and claws off!" Those yummy looking cookies and snacks are for the hungry little outside birds and critters!
Last but not least, if the idea of feeding the birds this winter appeals to you, check out the links at the end of Chow Time for lots of great information.
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