Tuesday, February 5, 2013

DIY Flowerpot Bird-Feeder


Carolina Chickadee
I'm preparing a class for the Master Gardener chapter that I'm a member of on making bird-feeders utilizing natural sources, recycled materials and re-purposed items. Of course the best bird-feeder is what nature provides: nuts, seeds and fruit from native trees, shrubs and wildflowers (and native insects)... Here's my hand-out for my "bird" talk I give:  Creating a Bird Garden

But - this class is all about creating bird-feeders and I've been trying a few DIY feeders I've found over the Internet. I found the DIY instructions for this "Flowerpot Feeder" on Birds and Blooms website; here's the link:  Flowerpot Feeder

I basically followed the same look of the inspiration feeder, but changed things up a bit and added my own twist...

Supplies:

  • Terracotta or clay flowerpot and two saucers. I used an orchid pot (which has pre-drilled holes), but I also made one out of an azalea pot and drilled seed holes (any flowerpot that you have on-hand and want to re-purpose as a feeder will work). The saucer needs to cover the top of the flowerpot (as a lid). 
  • Glass and tile drill bits (1/2" for seed openings, 1/8" for hanging)
  • 3/32" vinyl coated wire rope (about 2 feet) 
  • 1/8" ferrule and stop set
  • Pliers
Start by drilling 1/8" holes in the center of each saucer. It's pretty easy to drill these holes with the appropriate drill bit. I also added 3 drainage holes in the base saucer with the same bit. Use the 1/2" bit to drill three seed holes about an inch from the bottom of the flowerpot.Thread the wire rope through the top saucer, flowerpot and base saucer. Using pliers clamp the ferrule and stop onto the wire at the base and top.

If you re-purpose a flowerpot and saucers, this feeder will cost you about $2.00!

I added a few "embellishments" to my feeder... I love how it turned out and my backyard birds seem to approve also!

Male Red-bellied Woodpecker
Male Red-bellied Woodpecker
American Goldfinches
Outdoor Wednesday
Down Home Blog Hop
I'd Rather B Birdn'
Wild Bird Wednesday
Nature Notes
Clever Chick Blog Hop






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21 comments:

  1. Now this one is super too. I love the fact that you posted a link to the Bird D'Pot recently, for the fact that I found you and your blog. So many many great ideas. And this one, I must try it.

    Thanks for posting and linking up. That Red Bellied Woodpecker seems fascinated by the decoration. ;o)

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  2. This is great! I will have to take a try at making one of these! Thanks for the instructions.

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  3. That is a handsome feeder Rebecca! I have plenty of old flower pots around here so I'm going to make one for sunflower seed and maybe one for woodpecker mix. From the look of that excellent photo of the Red-bellied Woodpecker and the American Goldfinches, I would have no problem attracting my local species to this feeder.

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  4. Great photos and a very interesting way to make a bird feeder.

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  5. What a wonderful way to repurpose old clay pots! Love your shots of the woodpecker. Visiting from wbw

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  6. A really neat idea! Now I have even MORE stuff to do this weekend! Looks like this will be worth it.

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  7. Cute feeder and a great idea! Love the woodie shot!

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  8. Now thats $2 very well spent! Nice pictures.

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  9. Great feeder - would make a great addition to the tree that shades the chicken coop. I'll be looking for pots and saucers at the thrift stores. (Stopped by from Down Home Hop)

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  10. What a gorgeous feeder! I love that you too share such a passion for all things birds. Thank you so much for linking up to the Down Home Blog Hop.~Melissa

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  11. Lovely wildlife photography and creative bird feeder ^_^ ~ Carol of (A Creative Harbor) on Blogger ^_^ visiting from Outdoor Weds.

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  14. Oh this is really very pretty. Much more so than all of the feeders I have. Wonderful idea. So funny to see the red-bellied curled around there like that.. Lovely for Nature Notes..thank you Rebecca... Michelle

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  15. So cute and such a great idea! I pinned it to my gardening tips board.

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  16. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  18. Love this feeder. Have noticed that you use bird figurines on some of your other feeders. Where do you get them. Have being looking for months and obviously can't find the source.
    Keep up the good work.

    Thanks

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  19. Thanks for this information. Please keep up the great work. I will be coming back lots.
    Fine Art Nature Photography

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  20. I used a clay pot that had been used in a water garden, it already has holes at the sides on the bottom so I didn't have to drill those. It works perfect.

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  21. The birds are enjoying it in the picture.

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