How to Make Birdseed Ornaments

How to make birdseed ornaments for your own backyard birds, or as a pretty and practical handmade gift.  Fun craft to make with kids!

So a sad thing has happened in our neighbourhood over the past couple of years.  An invasive species called Emerald Ash Borer has either killed or made sick all of the ash trees.  All.  Which is a lot of trees, considering our neighbourhood bears the name Ashgrove. 

I’m sure you’ve seen the effects of invasive species as well, and it’s a shame.  On our immediate property, it meant the loss of the three trees on the west side of the yard.  Where it used to be shady (and a place to decorate with these oversized tissue pompoms) it’s now in full sun, but also, where there used to be lots of birds every season there are now very few.  Our backyard is now on full view to most of our neighbours, just what we were trying to avoid by moving into an established neighbourhood.

We planted one new tree this summer, and the city has marked three spots for new trees on their side of our fence line, but of course it will be many many years before they become shade-providing, established trees.

On the other side of the yard we still have the two pear trees and a large Japanese Maple.  In an effort not to lose all the birds that used to visit our yard, we hung a suet feeder in the pear tree last winter.  I think the squirrels ate most of it.  

At Christmas, my youngest and I found some tutorials for making birdseed ornaments to give as Christmas gifts to both sets of grandparents, avid bird-watchers.  All of the *samples* were hung in our pear trees.  The birds didn’t seem to mind that some were mis-shapen or broken.  Chickadees, sparrows, juncos (and squirrels!) were all happy to chip away at them.  We tried some in a heart shape thinking they’d be cute for Valentine’s Day as well.  (Also see my Pinterest board for more handmade ornament ideas.)

Looking for something different to give this Valentine’s Day?  We’ll be making another batch of these birdseed ornaments.  Fun to make and give, and the birds will love them too!

Supplies for Birdseed Ornaments:

large bowl
2 cups birdseed
2 packages unflavoured gelatin
6 cookie cutters, aproximately 2 inches
cookie sheet or tray
parchment paper
straws, cut into 3 or 4 inch sections
twine or ribbon for hanging

Instructions for Birdseed Ornaments:

Follow package instructions for mixing the unflavoured gelatin.  Allow to cool slightly, about 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, set out the cookie cutters on parchment covered tray.  Mix the birdseed into the gelatin until thoroughly coated.  Pack the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutters as tightly as possible.  Poke the straws into the birdseed and leave them in (to make a hole for stringing the ribbon through).  Set aside in a cool dry place at least six hours or overnight.  Very carefully push the hardened ornament out of the cookie cutter and remove the straw.  Tie with ribbon or twine and hang outside.

It’s been fun to watch the birds returning to our yard.  We regularly have two pairs of cardinals now, lots of chickadees and sparrows, plus some that I don’t know.  Hopefully there will be even more variety in the spring.  And we’re looking forward to new trees being planted to replace our lovely ash trees.

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Have you experienced an invasive species in your area?  Have you been able to do anything to minimize the impact?  Thanks so much for reading, friends!  Till next time,

xo andrea

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