I used coconut oil for the frying. After the doughnut frying, there was a lot of dough residue in the pan.
I cleared the cabinets from old or near expiry date nuts and seeds and found some pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and macadamia nuts which I chucked into the oil along with some rolled oats.
Careful though! You need to let the oil cool down a little before throwing anything in, otherwise you will end up with deep fried nuts. :)
I cut open some milk and juice cartons.
Out of the top piece, I cut out a square and punched a hole through it.
Through the hole, I added a wool thread and tied a big knot to go underneath the square.
I placed the square to the bottom of the carton, and poured in the oil and seed mixture.
Once ready, I placed the carton outside to chill completely. And on top of the carton, I placed a skewer so that I could wrap the thread around it and keep the thread inside the oil mixture somewhat straight.
The coconut oil sets quite quickly, but it wasn´t until the next day that I cut off the carton from around the seed block and hung the bird feed "candle" to the tree.
The birds have been quite keen on the seed candle, but as I am no bird expert, I am not completely sure if sesame seeds are good for birds. (I do not know why they wouldn´t be, but don´t take my word for it.)
Also, in hindsight, I think I should have added some other oil into the mixture, too. Perhaps the coconut oil will be too hard for the birds in the wintertime? So maybe a splash of olive oil or similar would keep it softer? Do try - and report back! :)
Happy week to everyone!
