Natural log feeder

Make a natural log feeder

Give your garden birds an energy-rich feast, by creating a simple log feeder.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is at its best in January

Plant is at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is not at its best in April

Plant is not at its best in May

Plant is not at its best in June

Plant is not at its best in July

Plant is not at its best in August

Plant is not at its best in September

Plant is not at its best in October

Plant is not at its best in November

Plant is at its best in December

To do
To do

Do To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do To do in September

Do To do in October

Do To do in November

Do To do in December

This easy-to-make log feeder offers birds a feast of energy-boosting seeds and fat. Over time, the log will rot down, providing a perfect habitat – and a food source – for lots of different insects, many of which would make a tasty snack for birds, too.

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You Will Need

  • Log or thick branch
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Auger bits
  • Ready-made suet and seed block, or any mix of suet/fat and seeds
  • Garden spade

Total time:

Step 1

Drilling holes in the log
Drilling holes in the log

Drill lots of holes of various sizes into the log, using a selection of drill bits and auger bits. Work along the full length, on all sides.

Step 2

Stuffing suet into the holes
Stuffing suet into the holes

Push the fat and seed mix into all the drill holes. Then find a suitable site for the feeder where visiting birds won’t be disturbed.

Step 3

Firming the log into the ground
Firming the log into the ground

Dig a hole, deep enough for support your log. Stand the log upright in the hole, then backfill with soil, firming it down with your foot.

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Kate Bradbury says

If possible, use a log from a native tree, such as an oak or beech, growing in your garden or nearby. As it rots, it will attract beetles and other wood-boring insects, which have evolved alongside that tree. It’s a lovely symbiosis that happens all the time in the natural world, but which we can replicate in our gardens.

Kate Bradbury