DIY Bird Seed Ice Ornaments

Preparations for the Great Backyard Bird Count

What is The  Great Backyard Bird Count?

MA Audubon states:  The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.

Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, participants turned in more than 144,000 online checklists, creating the world’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded.

The 18th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 13, through Monday, February 16, 2015. Please visit the official website at birdcount.org for more information and be sure to check out the latest educational and promotional resources.

How can I prepare for the Backyard Bird Count? 

Create a garden that attracts birds.  I have been searching for unique “home-made” bird feeders in preparation for Great Backyard Bird Count.  I was delighted to find these Bird Seed Ice Ornaments. They are simple, beautiful and won my heart. This activity was so easy and fun. See more information here: Birdseed Ice Ornaments

DYI BIRDSEED ICE CUBE ORNAMENTS

Materials: Ice Cube Trays, Bird Seed, Cranberries/Blueberries) Water, Freezer and String/Twine

Step One: Fill each ice cube section with half bird seed

Step Two: Add cranberries/blueberries

Step Three: Add water

Step Four: Cut string/twine into short strands and tie into a loop. Tuck the string into the water, seed, cranberry mixture

Step Five: Put trays into freezer.

Step Six: When the water freezes, take the trays out and hang outside

WHOOOLAAAA! Have fun!