Page 19 - North Haven Magazine Issue 31 Holiday 2023

Suet balls can be used in mesh bags or suet ball feeders.
Karo syrup is made from genetically modified corn (GMO). The
crops may be sprayed with the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup)
which can disrupt normal gut function in humans. To be safe, it is
best to avoid this sweetener, which the birds do not need anyway.
Selective Feeding: Just like us, birds can be particular about what
foods they will eat and foods they dislike. You can use this trait to
encourage the types of birds you want to come to your yard and
feeder. Use Internet resources to find details about which special
treats to add to your suet to attract particular species.

I prefer to discourage European House Sparrows from my yard be-
cause they attack the bluebirds, kill them and use the bluebird nest
boxes. I learned that these sparrows do not like safflower seeds, but
they do love millet and sunflower seeds. I stopped buying wild bird
seed and even sunflower seeds to discourage these birds from vis-
iting. I only offer safflower seeds and thistle seeds and now I have
very few House Sparrows. It is interesting that native sparrows en-
joy the safflower, so I still have all the “good” sparrows.

You can apply this knowledge to making your suet. Do not add wild
bird seed to the mixture, but use safflower or thistle seed instead to
minimize House Sparrows.

The Upside-Down Feeder
Some of the bigger birds that arrive in large flocks consume a great
deal of suet very quickly. If you want to discourage some of these
birds from taking over your feeders, you can use an upside-down
suet feeder. Woodpeckers, bluebirds, nuthatches, chickadees,
wrens, and other birds will be able to access the suet. It has been
interesting to watch over the years that some of the starlings learn
to get under the feeder to reach the suet, but they cannot stay and
eat for any length of time.

Get started!
Here is a simple recipe to get you started. Gather the family and
these few ingredients and begin cooking for the birds!
Healthy Homemade Suet
• 1 cup lard
• 1 cup peanut butter L
• 2 ½ cups oats
• 2 ½ cups cornmeal
• Raisins, nuts, or birdseed, optional
Melt lard and peanut butter. Stir in oats and cornmeal. Add option-
al ingredients. Pour the mixture into a pan and chill in refrigerator
overnight. Cut into squares and wrap in plastic for easy storage and
removal.
Feeding energy-boosting suet to the birds this winter will help
them through the cold days and nights and it will bring you the
joy of watching and learning about the birds in our neighborhood.
Keep a field guide handy so you can learn which birds are coming
to dinner!

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