Feed the birds: ‘Wildlife Kate’ makes miniature snack bar with toys
A WILDLIFE photographer has created a miniature snack bar as a bird table, using dolls’ house accessories bought online.
Kate Macrae, a wildlife consultant who has appeared on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Countryfile, kitted out the space with tiny toy versions of fizzy drinks, bottled water, sandwiches, crisps and cupcakes. There is even a toy microwave and a miniature pot plant – although the real food Macrae puts out for the birds includes black sunflower seeds and suet pellets.
Miss Macrae, who blogs as Wildlife Kate, has fitted a high-definition camera at the back of the bar. Visitors to her website can watch the action live as birds come calling at her garden in Lichfield, Staffs.
Explaining the idea, Miss Macrae said: “I have created a Bird Snack Bar, made to look like a human snack bar, populated with miniature foods. And with the snowy conditions, I have had a lot of visitors.
“I played around with lots of ideas before I came up with the snack bar idea. I needed to create a set-up that would house an HD IP [internet protocol] camera and be able to dispense a reasonable volume of food.
“I drew up lots of different plans and had lots of ideas. I discovered that 1/12th dolls’ house furniture and accessories were the ideal size for small birds. You can find food of all descriptions, mini bottles of water, sandwiches and cakes in 1/12 size.”
The process took several months, Macrae said, costing around £30 for the miniature items and £250 for the camera. The frame was made by a friend, Tom Firmstone, from recycled wood, plastic and metal.
She added: “It has evolved to house a tray at the front for food as well as a counter. Tom created two small shelving units for me to fill with tiny food items.
“I fixed the camera on the bracket in the back of the box, and set it so it would be positioned so the birds would visit the food tray in the front but look like they were visiting the snack bar.”
“Before long, there was a flurry of visitors. Even as it got dark and the internal lights illuminated the snack bar, the robin still visited. I’m thrilled,” Miss Macrae said.
‘You can find food of all descriptions, mini bottles of water, sandwiches and cakes in 1/12 size’.