How to Make a Twirling Bottle Bird Feeder

A little over a year ago I saved directions about how to make a twirling bottle bird feeder from one of my favourite blogs, Wanderin' Weeta (With Waterfowl and Weeds).

The twirling design was to make it squirrel proof. My problem isn't squirrels, but a Steller's Jay that is making a mess with my bird feeders. He's too big and knocks the seeds into the lake.

Here are the directions from Wanderin' Weeta's site, slightly modified:

Materials:

• Empty plastic pop bottle with screw-top lid
• Clean thin twig about 8 inches long
• Sturdy twine
• A washer or nut
• Duct tape

Tools:

• Sharp knife
• Hammer 
• Small nail, large nail and a straight pen

Directions:

• Choose a clean plastic pop bottle.
• Remove the label.
• Push a small nail through the plastic about an inch and a half up from the bottom. Use a large nail then a straight pen to make the hole fit the stick.
• Make another hole on the opposite side of the bottle.
• Use a nail and hammer to make a hole in the center of the lid.
• Use a sharp knife to cut two inch horizontal slits about 1/2 inch above each hole. 
• I used duct tape to cover the sharp lower slit edges.
• Squeeze just above the slits to make U-shaped openings for birds to reach the seeds. 
• Thread twine through the slits. Tie one end firmly around the top of the bottle just below the lid. Pull on the other end until the twine holds the two U-shaped sections permanently open. Tie firmly around the neck of the bottle. 
• Force the twig (I used a length of bamboo plant stake) through the bottle. It should fit snugly. This will make the perches.
• Thread another length of twine, about 3 feet long, through the lid. Tie the inside end around the washer or nut. Pull the washer tight inside the lid and tie a knot on the outside. 

Finishing Touches:

• Fill your bottle with bird seed. 
• Screw on the cap.
• Hang the bird feeder from a tree or post. To keep squirrels off, hang it at least a foot away from any branch. 

I hung my new twirling bird feeder on the bridge railing.

Did it solve my Steller's Jay problem? Well, not completely. But with smaller holes in the feeder, the Oregon Juncos at least have a fighting chance to get something to eat before it all gets flicked out.

Thanks Wanderin' Weeta for giving me this great idea. And for my readers, I highly recommend visiting her website. She's a nature expert, superb photographer and takes us along to explore Vancouver Island's many trails and back roads. -- Margy