WHAT TO DO

Pine cone feeders

● Twist some wire or tie string around the centre of the pine cone, getting it tightly inside the grooves, and cut it so that the remaining length is sufficient for you to secure the feeder to your chosen branch, once completed.

● Put the lard into a large bowl and squash it down with a fork, so it’s spread along the bottom.

● Add two good handfuls of quality bird seed, a handful of bird peanuts and mix carefully until the seeds and nuts are mixed evenly in the lard.

● Avoiding the loose pieces of string or wire, press the mixture into the sides of the pine cones (using your hands is best!) so that it presses into the grooves and just covers the outer pine cone structure.

● Put in a plastic bag or container and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

● Use the string or wire to secure the finished feeder in an appropriate place.

Party cup feeder

● Make a small hole in the base of the party cup with a skewer and thread through a piece of string or wire at least 5cm longer than would be sufficient for where you wish to hang the feeder.

● Taking the end of the string or wire inside the cup, tie several knots in the string on top of each other, or wind the last inch and a half of the wire round a pencil then squash it flat to make a disc. Take the other end of the string and raise it to lift the cup up.

● Once the string or wire is secured, press the lard and seed mixture made above into the cup until it is about 2/3 full. Chill the mixture for about an hour.

● Hang outside.

Squash/pumpkin feeder

● Carefully slice a ‘lid’ off the pumpkin. Scoop out all of the flesh and seeds (reserve some of the latter to dry and plant).

● Use a metal skewer to make a hole at least an inch down from the top on opposite sides of the pumpkin, large enough to thread though some garden wire or string to make a handle for the feeder. Tie string or twist wire several times to secure handle.

● Using the metal skewer, make ‘drainage’ holes at the bottom, then ‘perch’ holes on each side. With a small pumpkin, push one wooden skewer through opposing holes to make a perch either side. Do this to make six to eight perches. Cut off sharp points.

● Fill the centre of the feeder with seeds, peanuts, and broken bits of fat balls. Don’t overfill, as the fruit is moist and any excess rain can collect in the feeder, so it’s best to put small amounts in and keep refilling.

The bird hide

● Take three of your bamboo canes and tie together with wire about four inches down from the top, to create a basic wigwam shape.

● Add the remaining canes, securing with wire at the top, and try to space them evenly, with a wider gap for the doorway. Ensuring that your doorway faces where you want it to, position on the lawn and gently tap each cane at the top with the mallet so it’s secured down to an inch underground.

● Add some smaller horizontal and diagonal canes to secure the structure. Take care to secure with garden wire and cut off any sharp ends. Cover with a tarpaulin or plastic sheeting to waterproof if wanted – secure this to your structure with wire or string, then cover with camouflage netting. Secure netting with tent pegs around the bottom.

● ‘Furnish’ the inside of your hide as desired, ready for lots of fascinating birdwatching!