This is the time of year when I love to make some homemade creations for the birds to enjoy. Most of the time I make my DIY suet cakes which are fun to make in different flavors and that I put in my little suet cake cage out on the tree. This year I got out my recipe for homemade birdseed ornaments again too but then decided to do something a little different with that recipe – – I decided I could turn this mixture into homemade birdseed bells!
Of course the first challenge when you want to make a homemade birdseed bell is how can you get that shape? I decided I could put my recipe mixture into a small flowerpot to get something of the same sort of shape and was pretty satisfied with my final result, although I wish the bottom was just a bit wider like the store-bought type. And although I used a clay flowerpot, you could probably use some other type of disposable container for this method too, such as a plastic yogurt container, or maybe one of those red Solo cups.
Hanging the Birdseed Bell the Typical Way
What to prepare:
- A bit of string or twine
- A small hook (optional)
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Choose the perfect spot
The primary reason for hanging a birdseed bell is to observe the birds while they feed, so where should you hang it? This implies that you should put the bell in a location where you can see it at all times.
If your kitchen window has a tree in it, that would be a great spot to hang the birdseed bell so you can enjoy watching the birds while cooking or doing the dishes.
Step 2 – Hang the birdseed bell securely
Ideally, the traditional bird seed bell you purchased included a metal or plastic tab. The birdseed bell can be effortlessly hung thanks to the tab. After selecting a location, hang the bell.
If you intend to hang the bell beneath a tree, fasten a hook to the end of the cord after encircling a lower branch. Then, using the tab at the top, you can hang the birdseed on the hook.
How To Make A Mold For A Birdseed Bell
I used a 4 inch clay flower pot to make a homemade birdseed bell. 3″ size. My pot measured four inches high and four and a half inches across the top after a quick measurement. Using a flower pot as your mold has the benefit of having a hole already in the bottom, which will come in handy later on when you are hanging your bird bell from it.
Before I started making the birdseed mixture, I lined my pot with wax paper. Certain paper folds are acceptable and won’t be visible when your bird bell is finished. Next, I used a pencil to pierce through the wax paper and out the opening at the pot’s bottom.
After that, I cut a length of yarn to about 24 inches, folded it in half, and inserted the folded end through the bottom hole so that about 4 inches of the yarn protruded. This is what your bird bell will hang from in the end.
Now things are ready to add the birdseed mixture!
Using A Plastic Mesh
You can use this method if your bird seed bell broke off by accident or if it does not have a plastic tab.
What to prepare:
- Birdseed bell
- Bit of string or cord
- Ensure that the holes in the plastic mesh or net are larger than the seeds within the bell.
- An S-hook
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Pick a spot for the birdseed bell
As previously stated, you must choose the ideal location for the birdseed bell. Choose a spot where you can easily see the bell. Additionally, it ought to be positioned where the birds can eat in peace and comfort. This indicates that the bell shouldn’t be too close to the location from which you plan to watch it.
Step 2 – Wrap the bell in plastic mesh
Take a large enough piece of plastic mesh or net to wrap around the bell. Use as little as one layer of mesh as you can to let the birds sift through the holes.
Having said that, you must use mesh with holes big enough for the big seeds to easily pass through. By doing this, the birds won’t be able to break through the mesh and drop the bell.
Step 3 – Hang the birdseed bell
Hang the mesh bag from the cord that is wound around the tree branch using the S-hook. Make sure the S-hook is catching at least two layers as you thread it through the mesh. Additionally, to prevent the bell from hanging unevenly on the cord, make sure to hook it in the middle.
FAQ
Where is the best place to hang a bird seed bell?
How do you make hanging bird seed balls?
How do you hang a hanging bird feeder?
How do you use a bird seed bell?