Thanks to the over 100 people who came out over the weekend to help us Decorate a Tree for the Birds. Many families remarked that this activity has become one of their holiday rituals and we’re glad we could be a part of it!

We’d like to thank Wild Birds Unlimited for the donation of the millet and black oil sunflower seeds and our raffle prizes.

The Sweet Potato contributed the apples, oranges and cranberries for the garlands, as well as the yummy cookies provided as a snack.

Special thanks to all of our staff and volunteers: Katie, Jon, Zak, Sarah, Evelisa, Diana, Jen, Gloria, Robin and Rebecca.

If you’d like to make treats for your own backyard birds, here’s how!

Yuletide Logs:

You will need a small, dry branch; craft sticks; lard or vegetable shortening and seeds (we recommend black oil sunflower seeds).

1. Spread the lard on the branch. We use craft sticks for the spreading, but we’ve also been known to use our hands.
2. Sprinkle your branch with the seeds.

Fruit Garlands:

You will need: apples and oranges, cut into one-inch pieces; whole cranberries; cheerios; PLAIN popped popcorn; thick cotton thread; and a darning needle.

1. Start by threading your darning needle. You may prefer to tie a knot just below the eye of the needle if your child – or you! – are new to hand-sewing
2. Thread a cranberry onto your string; this will keep the other items from sliding off the other end.
3. Continue by threading popcorn, cheerios, cranberries and apple and orange pieces onto your thread.
4. Once your thread is full, un-thread the string, or cut the threaded end. Tie your two ends together to make a loop of your garland.

Pinecone Feeders:

You will need: pine cones*; thread or string; craft sticks; lard or vegetable shortening; and seeds.

1. Start by tying a loop of string around the top of the pine cone. If there isn’t a stem at the top, you can tie the string around the top of the body of the pine cone.
2. To keep the loop of string from becoming embedded in the lard, place the loop over your wrist.
3. Use the craft sticks to spread the lard over the pine cone.
4. Roll your lard-covered pine cone in the seeds.

*Placing your pine cones on top of your heat register or near a heat source will encourage the pine cone to “open up”, creating more crevices for your lard and seeds.

Got all your treats ready? Great! Go outside and find a tree to decorate! Your Yuletide Log can be placed at the base of a tree where both squirrels and birds can enjoy it and your Pine Cone Feeder and Fruit Garlands can be hung from branches.

If you have chosen a tree in your backyard, check out Project Feeder Watch and see what birds come to your backyard.

Want to learn more about the winter birds of High Park? Then come on out for our Winter Birds Nature Walk on January 8th as Jon Hayes leads us through the park and helps identify the birds that make the park their home all winter.