Expert: Julia Booth - 7/12/2008

Question
Is there a non expensive way to feed woodpeckers such as making a homemade suet feeder and feed,also any recipes to make feed for the birds from ordinary kitchen ingredients ?

Answer
There are lots of ways you can make homemade feeders for woodpeckers. But you will still end up having to buy either nuts or dried fruits or seeds at some point to throw into the mix.

My personal recipe -attracts nuthatches, woodpeckers and wrens

Take a large pinecone and tie a string to the top, so it can be hung. Make the string at least a foot in length. Slather the pinecone in peanut butter and roll it in any sort of seed until the peanut-buttered area is covered. Hang it against a tree -head high. Don't suspend it completely.

Here are some websites that give other recipes for suet and suet cakes:

http://www.birdnature.com/suet.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2281399_homemade-bird-suet-cakes.html

http://www.attractwildbirds.com/feedingbirds/how-to-make-suet.htm