This is an excellent treat for the birds but also an attractive feature in the garden.

You’ll need:

Dried out pine or fir cones

Bird seed

Raisins, peanuts and/or corn

Suet or lard

Loop a piece of string around the cones so that they can hang. Mix together the bird seed and nutritious extras then add the lard or suet in small cubes, room temperature is best. Mix it all together and pack the pine cones with it, getting into all the layers and making a kind of ball shape. Leave them in the fridge for an hour and then they’re ready to feed and entertain the birds.