Make a speedy bird cake

Adults version

Stuff you need

Good quality bird seed; raisins; peanuts; grated cheese; suet or lard; yoghurt pots; string; mixing bowl; scissors

Make an easy, low-mess bird cake.

Important notes

Not suitable for children with nut allergies. Note that bird seed, including peanuts bought for birds, is not suitable for human consumption.

Steps

Carefully make a small hole in the bottom of a yoghurt pot. Thread string through the hole and tie a knot on the inside. Leave enough string so that you can tie the pot to a tree or your bird table.

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Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature, but don’t melt it. Then cut it up into small pieces and put it in the mixing bowl.

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Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your finger tips. Keep adding the seed/raisin/cheese mixture and squidging it until the fat holds it all together.

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Fill your yoghurt pots with bird cake mixture and put them in the fridge to set for an hour or so.

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Hang your speedy bird cakes from trees or your bird table. Watch for greenfinches, tits and possibly even great spotted woodpeckers.

This activity counts towards a Wildlife Action Award.

© 2009 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Registered charity no. 207076
Privacy and Accessibility. Unless otherwise stated, all text copyright RSPB.
Illustrations copyright Andy Hamilton