Wonderful piece. I have the same thought every time I open some suet for my feeder. "Well just a quick bite wouldn't hurt...right? Nobody has to know!" I'm allergic to beef, so seeing it on the ingredients is enough to deter me. Otherwise, who knows. Enjoyed the etymological angle, the Cratchit shoutout, and commend the lengths you've gone to to create a Christmas treat fit for a birder.
Awesome! I do want to make my own. That cornmeal worries me though...do you get House Sparrows? I've taken such pains to keep the Starlings and House Sparrows away
the HOSPs here know my face, it comes with a reinforcer (which has never eliminated any living thing) however does make them fear for their lives. Think Red Ryder. (I have bad aim lol) As a result, they have avoided our yards for well over 2 years now. What used to be a monumental task of chasing them away has now become just a daily reminder that “I’m still watching!” and off they go to the neighbors. I will admit they are a pita. I guess you’ll have to give it a go and see what shows up at your feeders. I’m super cautious with putting any seed out due to the presence of rodents, large and small. This suet is my only concession and so far, so good.
I've never tried Christmas pudding, and does sound intriguing. It does appear to be a good amount of work though. As far as the suet goes, I buy the peanut butter and just regular old beef suet. I buy the peanut butter mainly for the flying squirrels we have at night. They seem to prefer it. Some of the other birds will peck at it, but mostly the squirrels. The hairy and the downy usually just eat the regular suet.
Yeah, the cakes at the chain stores are loaded with junk. We're lucky the Starlings and House Sparrows are very infrequent visitors, but I know they'd be here quick if I used that crappy suet
Wonderful piece. I have the same thought every time I open some suet for my feeder. "Well just a quick bite wouldn't hurt...right? Nobody has to know!" I'm allergic to beef, so seeing it on the ingredients is enough to deter me. Otherwise, who knows. Enjoyed the etymological angle, the Cratchit shoutout, and commend the lengths you've gone to to create a Christmas treat fit for a birder.
Thanks for reading James! I really am tempted, but I'll stick to my peanut butter toast in the morning and let the birds have the bird food.
Here's hoping the pudding can live up to last year's version! We'll see
Awesome and love the images of the variety of woodpeckers getting the uet. That American Crow looks seriously focused on getting more!
It was very focused, and the focus paid off!
Thanks Neil!
this is the home made stuff I've been using. attracts everything ! woodpeckers of all sizes, chickadees, cardinals, bluebirds, warblers, (well, not cardinals or robins yet, but) https://bottger.com/blog/recipe/make-amazing-bark-butter-for-birds/
Awesome! I do want to make my own. That cornmeal worries me though...do you get House Sparrows? I've taken such pains to keep the Starlings and House Sparrows away
the HOSPs here know my face, it comes with a reinforcer (which has never eliminated any living thing) however does make them fear for their lives. Think Red Ryder. (I have bad aim lol) As a result, they have avoided our yards for well over 2 years now. What used to be a monumental task of chasing them away has now become just a daily reminder that “I’m still watching!” and off they go to the neighbors. I will admit they are a pita. I guess you’ll have to give it a go and see what shows up at your feeders. I’m super cautious with putting any seed out due to the presence of rodents, large and small. This suet is my only concession and so far, so good.
Oh boy…we do get some rodents. Mostly squirrels and chipmunks. Many, many, MANY chipmunks
Red Ryder…you’ll shoot your eye out!
The pudding was glorious last year! I can't wait to try it this year. Maybe you can glue Aunt Sonia's duck and share your handy work on the next post!
That poor duck. Let's see if we can keep her out of harm's way from now on
The Christmas pudding looks delicious! Glad you reminded me it is time to get the suet feeder back out for winter. My friend, Julie Zickefoose, has perfected a great home recipe I make several times in the winter. The birds go NUTS for it! https://www.audubon.org/magazine/addictive-homemade-suet-will-keep-your-birds-returning-more
Ohhh! I've seen this recipe. Okay, I'm going to try making my own after the new year. Very curious. Thanks for sharing!
I've never tried Christmas pudding, and does sound intriguing. It does appear to be a good amount of work though. As far as the suet goes, I buy the peanut butter and just regular old beef suet. I buy the peanut butter mainly for the flying squirrels we have at night. They seem to prefer it. Some of the other birds will peck at it, but mostly the squirrels. The hairy and the downy usually just eat the regular suet.
It's some work and it's not for everyone. For me it's a nice dessert with complex flavors and not too sweet, which is a bonus
Thank you JT! What lovely things to say :)
Yeah, the cakes at the chain stores are loaded with junk. We're lucky the Starlings and House Sparrows are very infrequent visitors, but I know they'd be here quick if I used that crappy suet