Springtime Bird Feeders

Bring the birds into your yard with these simple, handmade birdfeeders.

BY KATIE HASSELL

BIRDSEED DISK

You will need:

Mason jar lid band

¾ cup birdseed

Pack of unflavored gelatin

¼ cup boiling water

Twine

How to:

1. Combine the gelatin and water in a bowl and stir to dissolve.

2. Mix in the birdseed, coating all of it in the gelatin mixture

3. Loop some twine through the Mason jar band.

4. Fill the band with the birdseed mixture. Be sure to press it down and fill up the band.

5. Allow to sit for a few hours to harden. Once hardened, they are ready to hang outside.

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER

You will need:

4-ounce Mason jar

Hanging Mason jar lid from a craft store

Red plastic cutting board

Permanent marker Scissors

Hole puncher

2 cups water

½ cup sugar

How to:

1. Remove the original lid and clean the Mason jar. (Save the band for the birdseed feeder.)

2. Using the permanent marker, trace the outer edge of the band of the lid. Then cut out the circle inside the line so the red plastic disk will fit within the band.

3. Use the hole punch to make four holes in the red disk, and place in the hanging Mason jar lid.

4. Make hummingbird nectar with this simple recipe: Boil two cups of water and dissolve ½ cup of sugar in the water. Allow to cool.

5. Fill up the Mason jar with the nectar, screw on the new lid and hang outside for the birds to find.