I always love to find ways to attract birds to our garden. My homemade DIY bird feeders and nesting balls are the perfect way to do just that and are great bird treats!

There is just something beautiful and relaxing about birds singing and chirping that instantly lifts my mood!

NESTING BALLS

When we sheared the alpacas, we had a lot of fiber! Those buddies were hairy! The fiber which cannot be used for fabric and other fiber purposes is great for other uses, like fun nesting balls.

They are perfect for the birds to grab the soft fiber and use it in their nests for their eggs and nestlings.

If you don't have alpacas (which is totally normal btw) you can use other animal fibers from cats, dogs, sheep, and goats. The golden rule is to try and keep it as natural as possible and definitely avoid scraps of yarn, twine, string, lint, and human hair.

You can also offer other natural materials in designated nooks around your garden such as dead twigs and leaves, feathers, plant fluff or down, moss, bark strips, and pine needles.

HOW TO MAKE THE NESTING BALLS

Collect your fibers you are going to use, choose your preferred twine ball, and get stuffing!

Hang outside in the garden.

Not in the mood to make these? I have some available in my shop

WREATH BIRD FEEDERS

These round bird feeders, smothered in peanut butter, bird seeds, and dried flowers, are delicious bird treats! I mean, what creature on this planet does not enjoy peanut butter??

Sometimes during the dry seasons, birds may struggle to get quality feed in the wild. By making bird feeders, you can help giving back to nature. Research has shown that if best practices have been followed, feeders can help birds to survive and reproduce.

It's essential to choose the right type of seeds for your wreath bird feeder, as not all are safe for birds.

Here are some options for your feeder:

Peanut butter spread: Birds love peanuts. It provides an excellent amount of fat and protein.

Sunflowers: Sunflowers are the best and safest option for all birds. The most popular one being the black-oil sunflower seeds. They are high in oil and are less expensive than other varieties.

Safflowers: Safflower is a bit smaller than black-oil sunflower and has a tough shell for such a little seed. Many people call safflower a "miracle seed" because some of the most annoying pests at your feeders don't particularly enjoy it.

Nyer (thistle): Thistle is perfect for birds with tiny beaks, as it's a small seed. Just be careful, it can spoil quickly, so don't keep it forever in the sun and rain.

Cracked corn: An inexpensive option to fill up your wreath.

Dried Fruit: Fruit provides a healthy snack for many birds and is a great way to attract new species that don't regularly visit your backyard. Dried cranberries and raisins will work great.

HOW TO MAKE THE FEEDERS

All you need is a grapevine twine wreath or ball, about a cup of peanut butter, bird seeds, dried fruit if you wish, and some pretty flowers.

Smother the feeders with peanut butter and sprinkle your ingredients all over. Go wild! Tie with a piece of string or wire to hang over a tree branch, and voila!

These DIY bird feeders and nesting balls are easy and quick to make, the perfect morning DIY project! It's so easy, even little Ava could help, and she enjoyed it a lot!

For both the feeders and the nesting balls, remember to change them up regularly with new ingredients and filling, to avoid spoilage and rot.