Ah, winter, the season of frosty mornings, cozy blankets, and… birdwatching! If you haven’t already joined the ranks of avian enthusiasts, let me convince you why putting out suet for birds during the chilly months is an absolute delight.
Picture this: it’s a crisp winter morning, and you’re sipping your steaming cup of coffee, gazing out into your snowy backyard. Suddenly, a flash of color catches your eye—a beautiful Cardinal, a cheerful chickadee, or perhaps a majestic woodpecker—feasting on the suet you’ve generously provided. There’s something magical about seeing these feathered friends flit about, especially when the world outside seems so quiet and still.
But why suet, you ask? Well, my dear friend, suet is like a gourmet feast for our feathered companions during the winter months. Packed with essential fats and nutrients, it provides them with much-needed energy to stay warm and healthy when food sources are scarce. Plus, it’s a bit like offering them a cozy winter retreat right in your backyard—a veritable birdie bed-and-breakfast!
And let’s not forget our fuzzy friends, the squirrels! While some may view them as backyard bandits, I like to think of them as charming guests at our bird buffet. Besides, watching them perform acrobatic feats as they try to sneak a nibble of suet adds an extra layer of entertainment to your winter birdwatching adventures. If you provide the squirrels with an easy to reach supply, they will leave your hard to reach bird supply alone.
But here’s the thing: once you start feeding the birds (and the squirrels), they’ll quickly become regular visitors to your backyard bistro. And just like that, you’ll find yourself with a growing avian entourage that relies on your hospitality to get through the winter months. So why not embrace the role of backyard benefactor and keep the suet coming?
In the end, feeding birds during the winter isn’t just about providing sustenance—it’s about fostering a sense of connection with the natural world, bringing a touch of joy and wonder to your everyday life. So grab your binoculars, fill up that suet feeder, and get ready to welcome a flurry of feathered guests to your winter wonderland!
What you will need:
1 Cup Rolled Oats.
2 Cups of Peanut Butter. (Kroger Brand works best for me)
3 Cups of Lard. (You can use Crisco or Store Brand)
Steps:
Melt 3 cups of lard. Do not boil the lard, just warm it to a liquid. Remove from heat.
Add 2 cups of peanut butter. Allow the peanut butter to melt, but do not cook it.
Add 1 cup of uncooked rolled oats. Stir in the oats as the liquid cools
There are many types of bird feeders that you can add your recipe to. Mold the suet into what ever shape you need and freeze it or make it room temperature to add it manually to natural bird feeders.