Archive for the 'Recycled Bird Feeders' Category
Double Decker Hopper Bird Feeder
Some bird feeders hold more seed than others, while some feeders just look better in the yard. There are some large capacity wild bird feeders that really do look good! You can spend less time filling, and more time watching when using hopper style feeders. They tend to have a larger capacity than tube feeders, and many will compliment your environment too.
This recycled feeder is a “Double Decker Hopper” and allows more perching room than a traditional hopper bird feeder. The bottom, or base also acts as a seed catcher to prevent unwanted ground mess. This type of feeder will attract a greater variety of wild birds, while the recycled plastic is guaranteed to never crack, split or fade. With a 4-quart capacity, you won’t have to make as many trips filling the feeder.
They’re guaranteed to never crack, split, or fade!
If you could purchase something that came with a manufacturer’s guarantee, wouldn’t you trust it? Recycled wild bird feeders are probably one of the greatest advancements in backyard birding products. Made from milk jugs and other recycled plastics, they greatly reduce landfill waste, and are some of the most durable feeders on the market! The Log Bird Feeder above uses 10 milk jugs for it’s production, while the Fly-Thru Feeder uses about 32 milk jugs each!
Most recycled feeders are guaranteed to never crack, split or fade. Attractive as well, they’re available in every style from hoppers, to platforms and fly-thrus, and even log feeders for feeding suet to woodpeckers and others. Recycle and Reuse!
Great Project Overview for Virtually any Organized Kids’ Group: Doing good in your community!
Birds For Brains How To:
Birds For Brains is such a rewarding program for kids, seniors and coordinators alike (the birds too!). If done right it will not take much funding at all to start and run.
- First Off and Most Importantly the Volunteers- BFB is set up specifically to get kids of any age involved. Daycares, scout groups, 4H, classrooms or any group with kids at any age (or if you just have one child that you would like to get accustomed to doing good for the community.) At least one adult to plan and implement the program is needed or a group of adults such as an Audubon Chapter to oversee the children.
- The Site- The easiest step is to find a place to visit and set up the bird feeders. Nursing or Assisted Living Homes, a retirement home or a single family home with a senior or disabled individual are in every neighborhood and will welcome the program and the enrichment that comes with it.
- Bird Feeders- Many ways to keep the costs down, BFB was initially set up to recycle wood from discarded fence panels or scrap that can be found around town. This idea was thought of not only to recycle and help the environment but also to have another hands on activity for the youth. Any fencing or construction company can direct you to scrap wood that could be used and Google is great to find Do-it-yourself plans to build the feeders.
We have not yet built any feeders for the program because once word got out about the program donations of feeders were given. We immediatley received a couple from the local Audubon Society Chapter and then as we approached Critters Feed and Seed to fill the feeders they to donated many feeders, not to mention the Birdhouse Chick donating 2 large rainbow finch feeders.
- Seed- If you live in a larger community you have a feed store in the area that you can approach. This is great on so many areas, you are starting a relationship with a local company and shopping local (rather than the big box stores), the seed will be of the best quality, and the relationship you start will help the local seed store by spreading the word that they have helped a good cause out and hopefully will attract new business.
Critters Feed and Seed in Moorhead, MN has been a wonderful partner and I cannot thank them enough!! When possible they get ‘sweepings’ from their seed supplier that would otherwise go to waste. This causes some additional work for the supplier and the vendor but when they hear that the seed is going to the Birds For Brains program they will be happy to offer the help. I have to mention that at times ‘sweepings’ are not available and Critters has been more than kind to donate seed off the shelf!
If you do not have a seed store contact a grain elevator, local pet store or any location that offers bird seed. Make sure you explain where the seed is going and the Mission of BFB.
- Visiting the Site- We ask that you stop by once a week or at the very least every other week to fill the feeders, clean the bird baths and spend some time visiting and interacting with the residents. Make sure that the activities coordinator knows when you will be there. Get involved and play games do activities or just visit.
This may be too much of a committment for some, so get a couple families or groups together and take turns at the site. If you have a few get together a once a month committment won’t be any trouble, but most kids that get involved will probably want to do it more often
Bird Feeder and Birdhouse Kits are also an inexpensive option for starting a site in your area.
For more information, please visit 3littlebirdsonline.com website.
Backyard birding is a wonderful hobby, that for some like me, turns into an obsession! Too many feeders, too many bird baths to fill and clean all the time.
Keeping bird feeders filled can get expensive, especially when using premium foods. Every birdfeeder is equipped with a squirrel baffle…I’ve learned the hard way! When warmer weather approaches and it’s time to put out hummingbird feeders, I know it will only cost pennies to create the nectar hummingbirds adore.
Last season I did a test with commercial red nectar and plain old sugar water…the sugar water mix won! One hummingbird feeder was filled with red nectar, while the other had the home made version. Three times as many hummingbirds went for the sugar water. It convinced me immediately to make my own nectar .
The recipe: 1 cup table sugar to 4 parts water. Could it be any easier? No need to boil the water (bacteria is spread through the birds’ bills at the feeders) but in doing so it dissolves the sugar quicker. I use 1 cup of boiling water until sugar is completely dissolved, then add 3 cups of cold water. There is no cooling time and nectar is ready to go in feeders!
If you do decide to try the recipe, NEVER add anything else to the mixture as it will harm, or even kill hummingbirds.
Reuse and Recycle with eco-friendly wild bird accessories.
Recycled glass has become very popular in the last few years. Even hummingbird feeders are available in this eco-friendly art glass. These feeders are high quality, and functional design for any environment.
The choices are amazing….you don’t have to use a red plastic version anymore! The myth of the red feeder is really just a myth. Tiny jewels know if the feeder has nectar in it for them…not sure how, but they know!
With the vibrant hues and creative designs, hummingbird feeders make lasting, and excellent gift choices for the nature lover on your list.
Commercial nectar is ok for hummingbirds, but we’ve found that plain old sugar actually works best to attract more hummers.
Simple Nectar Recipe: 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water…nothing else in the mix as it will harm hummingbirds.
You don’t have to boil the water–bacteria is spread through the bills of the hummingbirds at the feeders. Boiling water makes for quicker and easier dissolving of sugar. We boil 1 cup water, mix the sugar and add 3 cups cold water. The nectar is ready with no cooling time. Store unused portion in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Happy Birding!
Backyard birding certainly entails some chores! Attracting wild birds requires some effort with filling feeders, maintaining houses, and keeping birdbaths clean.
If you enjoy feeding wild birds, but sometimes get tired with the frequency of filling feeders…fret no more! Large capacity bird feeders are the answer. In general, a hopper bird feeder will hold more seed, they’re desgned to do just that.
You can spend less time filling and more time watching with a large capacity feeder. This double hopper feeder holds 7 quarts of sunflower or mixed seed. They’re even available in recycled materials, and built to last a lifetime. By investing in a few quality bird accessories, you’ll ultimately enhance your bird watching experiences.
With sustainability being so important today, it’s great to know that some wild birding manufacturers take heed. Paramount in this field is a company called Parasol. Very well known for their gorgeous blown glass hummingbird feeders, each is hand crafted from recycled glass.
In vibrant hues, their hummingbird feeders are available in traditional tube styles, and basin, or gondola styles to prevent nectar from dripping. Feeders are also available in top feeding models with patented red glass feeding tubes. All designs are of the highest quality, cadmium and lead free to ensure hummers’ health. Crafted to last for years of use and enjoyment by hummingbirds and their hosts!
Some Bird feeders are very specialized for specific species, but with traditional Tube Bird Feeders you can be sure to attract many types of songbirds. They accommodate a variety of seed mixes which can be changed or rotated for greater species attraction. Some tube birdfeeders even have 2 or 3 individual tubes so you can use multiple types of seed in one feeder.
Large capacity tube feeders are great as you can spend less time filling and more time viewing your wild birds. Tube feeders are available in a variety of materials and colors, from basic, no-frills–to decorative and whimsical designs. Choose one that is easy to maintain as far as filling and cleaning…you’ll be glad you did!
With the nesting season approching for many wild birds, real estate is harder to come by. Cavity nesting birds must work harder to find suitable housing to nest and raise their brood. Birdhouse kits are a wonderful way to fulfill this need and more. They are great projects for kids’ church or school groups, and family projects too.
These kits have come a long way, and today there are more than just the standard wood birdhouse kits available. Many recycled birdhouse and bird feeder kits are being seen. These are made of poly lumber-or recycled plastics and last much longer, with no rotting or splitting. A one time purchase to last many nesting seasons for wild birds. Plus the fun activity of creating the house instills a sense of stewardship with children.
Earth Day is April 22, and it’s a great reminder for us all to be more eco-conscious, and environmentally aware of our surroundings and just how we care for this earth. Recycle and reuse has never been a more important issue. For this and future generations, recyclying is paramount. Earth Day shouldn’t be a special day… it should be everyday!
Among many recycled products are wild bird accessories. Birdhouses and bird feeders have come a long way as far as design, and are readily available in recycled materials. They are mostly made from recycled plastic which is composed of post-consumer waste and packaging. (Fancy words for trash!)
These products last a lifetime, and are guaranteed to never crack, split or fade. They keep plastic out of landfills and the ocean, and prevent deforestation. A recycled birdhouse or feeder may cost an extra few dollars, but the investment is well worth it–being the last time you’ll ever have to replace the item.
Recycled Fly-Thru Bird Feeder