Garden

Make a Star Bird Feeder – Slideshow

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Credit: Christina Symons

Ingredients

STEP ONEAssemble the ingredients and grease each mould with cooking oil.Dissolve gelatin packets in the 75 mL (1/3 cup) cold water. Bring the 180 mL (3/4 cup) water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Turn the heat to low and add the gelatin mixture, stirring to blend. Add the corn syrup and birdseed. Stir well over the heat for 2 minutes. If the mix seems runny, add more birdseed until the liquid is fully absorbed. Allow to cool slightly.



Credit: Christina Symons

Place in moulds

STEP TWOUsing a spoon, press the mixture firmly into the moulds.



Credit: Christina Symons

Make a hole

STEP THREETo make a hole, insert a small stick through the centre of each mould. Allow the moulds to dry completely; the birdseed should be very firm to the touch. This will take several days. Once set, remove the stick and release the shape from the mould.



Credit: Christina Symons

Ready to hang!

STEP FOURThread a string or ribbon through the centre hole and tie



Credit: Christina Symons

Place the feeder in your garden

Hang the completed star on a tree and watch it attract some fine feathered friends!


These easy birdseed stars are great gifts for kids, gardeners and naturalists. They add a wonderful, decorative accent to a garden and provide food for our feathered friends during the winter season.

To make 6 stars you will need:

  • 4 packets (28 g total) unflavoured gelatin
  • 75 mL (1⁄3 cup) cold water
  • 180 mL (3⁄4 cup) boiling water
  • 30 mL (2 Tbsp.) corn syrup
  • 500 g (3 cups) mixed birdseed
  • 10-cm (4-in.) star-shaped moulds (our tray of six was purchased at Michaels, The Arts and Craft Store)

Story and photos by Christina Symons