Peanut Butter Log Bird Feeder
May 14, 2009 – 8:14 pm
So many of you asked for the instructions on how to make this feeder that I decided to post it.
TOOLS NEEDED: Electric Drill, 1/2″- 3/4″Flat Wood Bit, 3/16″ Twist Bit, 25lb. hook, vice grip or clamping device
LOG: I use oak because it’s readily available, but you can use any hard wood in your wood pile. Seasoned wood will be easier to drill.
The log should not be larger than 14″ long and 3″ diameter. Otherwise it will be too heavy. Make sure there are no side branches on the log. This will prevent a perching area for larger birds and squirrels.
Follow all of the safety guidelines you learned in shop class or on HGTV or DIY network. You know, vice grip, safety glasses, etc.
Since I didn’t inherit Dad’s vice grip, I use a work table as a clamping device. You could just as easily use a standard table and clamp.
Imagine that your log is four sided. You will line up the holes along each side, alternating the starting hole on each side by about 1″. That way you don’t drill into another side’s holes.
Drill at a slight angle so the peanut butter or suet will not fall out easily.
Only drill into the wood about 3/4″ inches or as deep as the paddle on the flat bit will go. Too deep and you’ll go through the wood.
Once you’ve completed the side holes, Turn the log onto it’s end and reclamp to your work surface.
Change out the flat wood bit for the twist bit. Drill into the center of the top just enough to start the screw hook. If you drill down too far, add some wood glue to the hole before you screw in the hook.
Screw the hook in until it holds firmly.
Fill each hole with peanut butter. I use crunchy peanut butter to give the little guys something good. It also seems to stay in the holes better than creamy peanut butter.
Hang from a strong limb or a sturdy shepherds hook. Wherever you gang it, make sure there are no nearby branches so squirrels and larger birds won’t be able to lean over to reach the good stuff.
Sit back and enjoy. It may take a few days but birds will find the log. If by chance the food goes bad before it gets discovered, simply use a metal cooking skewer to remove it. As the oil in the peanut melts it actually helps preserve the log so don’t worry about it getting greasy. In this case, greasy is a good thing.
Birds I’ve seen at our feeder logs: Chickadees, Wrens, Titmouses, Starlings, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers and Red Bellied Woodpeckers.
