tips for backyard birding Archives - Mother 2 Mother Blog

Homemade Suet Cake Recipe – Carrot Raisin

January 6, 2021 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

My homemade suet cake recipe today is for carrot raisin suet. My backyard birding tips love this specials treat. I have purchased commercial suet cakes, but my backyard birds prefer and devour every DIY suet cake that I make. As a result, I have developed homemade suet cake recipes for them. So, my recipes have been tested by my backyard birds. Trust me, they haven’t left a suet cake in tact yet.

I prefer making my own homemade suet cake recipes because I know exactly what’s in them. I can select and control the ingredients that I use. My backyard birds seem to like it that way too. If you are an experienced backyard bird watcher or a new newbie bird watcher, having your feeders full is the way to bring birds to your backyard, and keep them coming back.

Rather than toss any carrots that are getting old, I grate them with an old cheese grater and use them in my suet cakes. DON’T cook them. Raw carrots are best for backyard birds. Carrots are good for our eyes, but they are good for our backyard bird’s eye sight too. You can shred them and than freeze or store them in your refrigerator until you get ready to use them. I toss mine into a freeze bag and put them in one of my refrigerator drawers. I love raisins, so I always have a box on hand.

Homemade Carrot Raisin Suet Cake Recipe:

1 Cup of Shredded Carrots
1 Cup Raisins (Soak the raisins to soften them)
2 Cups of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
1 Cup of Oats
1 Cup melted Lard or rendered fat from the grocery store

Note: This recipe will make 2 suet cakes. You can double the recipe if you want to make more. I only make 2 suet cakes for each of my recipes so I can have a variety on hand.

Slowly melt 1 cup of lard in a pan. I use lard versus Crisco; however, I know some birders who have used Crisco for their suet recipes. Furthermore, I use dry ingredient cups for my ingredients. I know that I will end up with 2 suet cakes using this method. You can always add more of any of the ingredients if needed. Once the lard is melted. Remove it from the heat, and allow it to harden.
Reheat the lard in the pan a second time once it has turned into a harden state.
Thoroughly mix your ingredients in a large bowl. You will be adding the melted lard to the mixture. If you want to add more of the ingredients after you add the melted lard, feel free. Mix the ingredients thoroughly before you put the mixture into the containers you will be using as your molds.
I use square plastic containers from the Dollar Tree or suet cake containers that I saved from commercial cakes. You can purchase 2 containers for a $1.00 at your local Dollar Tree. Also, sandwich cases from Big Lots will work too. Add the mixture to your containers, and pack the mixture firmly into your containers. Make sure your cakes are about an 1 inch thick all the way around.

Take a knife and go around the outside of your cakes. You want to leave a small space between the suet cake and your container. Put them in your freezer or refrigerator until solid.
Once they are solid, remove them from the containers and place them in a freezer bag. You can keep them in the freezer or refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Mark your bag on the type of suet cakes you are storing. For example, Carrot Raisin.

I hope that you will make lots of suet cakes for your backyard birds. They provide nutrients and help keep our feathered friends warm during the winter months. They will thank you by returning again and again. Note: I only use these cakes during cold weather. You may also like: All About Bird Foods

Backyard Birds That Eat Apples

September 20, 2019 by Rhonda Gales 14 Comments

So, today I’m sharing birding tips on backyard birds that eat apples. It’s apple season! You can buy a few or you can buy them by the bushel. You can make pies, jelly or jam, cobblers or just snack on them. But, whatever you do pick up a few apples for your backyard birds. They love them too.

Apples are an excellent source of sugar. Sugar provides energy, which is essential during fall migration and winter months. Furthermore, apples help our backyard birds to maintain body heat during chilly weather. So, help our feather friends by providing some of those delicious apples.

Here’s a list of backyard birds that eat apples:

Mockingbirds
American Robin
Blue Jay
Northern Bobwhite
Northern Cardinal
Cedar Waxwing
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern bluebird
Eastern Towhee
Grosbeaks
Gray catbird
Hairy woodpecker
House Finch
Northern Mockingbird
Orioles,
Purple Finch
Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-headed woodpecker
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Crows

Place chucks or chopped apples in a small dish for backyard birds. You can also use a platform or hopper feeder too. Furthermore, you can cut the apples in half, remove the seeds, and just place the apples on the ground. If you can find a way to place an apple on a dead branch on a tree, that’s a great way to attract backyards to it. Additionally, I have chopped apples in my kitchen chopper and mixed it in with the birdseed during the winter months too.

So, check your area to see what birds from the list can be lured to your backyard. Please note, my list is not all inclusive. There may be birds in your zone that are not on my list, so do your research on your backyard birds. You may also like: How to Attract Backyard Birds to Your Bird Bath.

Filed Under: Backyard Birds Tagged With: attracting backyard birds, feeding backyard birds, tips for backyard birding

7 Tips for Beginner Backyard Bird Watchers

August 18, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips for beginner backyard bird watchers. Birdwatching can be a fun activity. I love opening my curtains in the morning and listening to the song birds. I’ve learned to identify several by their beautiful music even when they’re not in my sight.

So, backyard bird watching is becoming one of America’s favorite past times. It is as enjoyable for me as gardening. It’s a great way to get in touch with nature, have hobby that doesn’t require you to leave home and it’s budget friendly. Open your curtains and start watching.

Here’s what you will need to begin your beginner backyard bird watching journey:

Binoculars – Invest in a pair of field glasses. When you’re just starting out, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on binoculars. I have a pair that I spent $30 on, and they work just fine for my backyard viewing. Usually a lens magnification of 8x – 12x will be sufficient. So, make sure you read the particulars before you purchase to ensure the field glasses will be what you need.

Bird Identification Guide – Purchase a bird identification guide. Become familiar with the birds in your region. You can google to obtain a list to help you get started. For example, I live in West Virginia. Therefore, I want to look for birds that I will find in my backyard. Birds that are native to Texas won’t be found in West Virginia and vice versa.

Bird Feeders – You will find some birds prefer platform bird feeders and some prefer tube bird feeders. Decide what birds you want to attract and than decide on a feeder or two to place in your backyard. I use both tube and platform feeders. I also use suet feeders in the winter. You may like my bacon backyard bird birdseed cookies.

Bird Food – Next, beginner backyard bird watchers struggle with what to feed their backyard birds. You can’t go wrong with black oil sunflower seeds and/or suet and fruits. I started out with the black oil sunflower seeds. I add suet cakes and birdseed cookies in the winter. All are devoured.

Bird Bath – Furthermore, backyard bird watchers must offer a water source for their feathered friends. Place a bird bath were birds can see them from the air. A heated bath is nice in the winter. It keeps the water warm and thawed.

Bird Houses – Last, some birds roost in trees. Others will build nest inside nice warm bird houses. Decide if you want to build a house for Wrens, Chickadees, Robins etc. Purchase your birdhouse accordingly. Or, get creative and build your own.

Magazine Subscription – I love the magazine Birds and Blooms. I let them stack up during the spring and summer, and enjoy them with a roaring fire and a cup of coffee during the winter. This magazine has beautiful photos of birds across the country and from other birdwatcher’s backyards. They also include gardening ideas.

Finally, I hope that you find our beginner backyard bird watcher tips helpful. I’ve been bird watching for years, and I know that all bird watchers have to start somewhere.

Filed Under: Backyard Birds Tagged With: attracting backyard birds, backyard birds, tips for backyard birding

How to Attract Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

May 7, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one of the most beautiful birds to visit my backyard. The red, black and white males are stunning. And, their thick bills make you wonder who are you? What kind of bird are you? If you are a backyard bird lover, I have a few tips on how to attract Rose-breasted Grosbeaks to you backyard too. So, lets get started.

I had just switched my feeder, which had a mixture of sunflower, safflower, cracked corn, peanuts pieces and veggies to Safflower feeder. Safflower seeds helps to eliminate Starlings and Crackles from devouring the feeders. Most Starlings and Crackles aren’t fond of Safflower. However, songbirds love it. Within days of the switch, I noticed a new bird at the feeder. I looked at her and thought to myself she looks like the sparrow, but she’s larger. Is she a new visitor? Yes, she was. It was a female Grosbeak.

Her partner appeared a little later and took my breath away. This is the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He was stunning, and provided me with hours of joy. He returned to the feeder again and again to enjoy the treats. I first noticed the male hanging out on a branch. His rose colored bib caught my attention. I wondered if it was a wood-pecker initially. Finally, he finally made his way to the feeder. And, I realized I had a new visitor and a beauty at that. It’s these moments that excite the backyard bird watcher. Always have your camera or binoculars ready, you never know when a new visitor will appear.

If you’re wondering how to attract Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, here are a few tips:

Offer Black-oil Sunflower Seeds or Safflower Seeds – Add Safflower and/or Black-oil seeders to your feeders in the spring. These seeds are their favorite foods. I have Safflower seeds in mine. And, he visited the feeder at least 5 or 6 times to devour the tasty treats.
Offer raw peanuts, they love them.
Use a hopper or platform feeder
Provide fruit – Furthermore, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak love elderberries, blackberries, raspberries, and mulberries.
Make sure they have access to a bird bath or other means of water – I have a wet weather stream that runs through my property. Normally, it only runs if we have a large amount of rain. However, it has been running for an entire year. The birds love it.
Leave nesting materials – Also, the female uses dried leaves, sticks, weeds, and other earth materials to build her nest.
Breeding season is from May to September. Plan accordingly.

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Additionally, if you’re unable to bring them to your backyard, they love hanging out in parks and orchards. Plan a morning or afternoon stroll through your local park or a farmer’s orchard. Get permission first, if you decide to go the farm route. Furthermore, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak likes woody areas. Last, you may also like: How to Attract Catbirds to Your Backyard.