Citrus is abundant at the tail end of winter and early spring. With some careful pre-planning, you can turn these peels into a creative DIY bird feeder to attract wildlife. When peeling a grapefruit, orange, lemon or lime, do your best to keep the rind in one piece. Save the peel, put it in a paper bag and set it aside to dry. Place it on top of your fridge or in a cupboard–out of sight and mind. After a few days, check and make sure the rind is nice and dry. Once this is done, you’ll just need a few things to help bring birds and joy to your backyard.
Check out the materials you’ll need for your DIY bird feeder
- A large (thick) needle. Poke a hole in the end of your citrus peel with a needle.
- String. Thread some string (natural hemp of nylon) through the hole to the desired length for the peel to hang on a tree limb.
- A large mixing bowl and bird seeds. Fill the bowl with bird seeds. You can get pre-made mixes at pet and nature stores.
- Peanut butter. Coat a thin layer of peanut butter on both sides of the rind with a butter knife. Don’t put too much on because you don’t want to make the rind too heavy. Dip the rind into the bowl of bird seeds.
When you’re done, take your bird feeder outside and find a place to hang your natural feeder. Choose a place where you will be able to enjoy the comings and goings of your new feathered friends. Consider attaching some bells on the string to alert you when wildlife is enjoying your wonderful creation!
