Turn An Ordinary Kitchen Essential Into A Cute Yard Feature Birds Will Love

Bird watching can be one of the greatest pleasures of having a backyard, and enticing them to visit can be surprisingly simple. Indeed, it's really easy to DIY a bird feeder with household objects you already have. One great option is to repurpose the mesh splatter screen sitting in your kitchen drawer (or pick up a new one for just $1.25 at Dollar Tree). As one DIYer showed off on YouTube, this handy kitchen accessory makes a perfect feeder that birds will love.

Start by choosing a splatter screen without a protruding handle and degrease it, if needed. Next, pick up a wreath made of natural materials, like twigs, making sure its opening is the same size or slightly smaller than the screen, as it will need to comfortably sit atop it. Attach the two pieces together using wire by driving it through the mesh and wrapping it around the wreath, paying close attention to fold the sharp ends downwards and tuck them away so birds won't get hurt. Alternatively, you can secure the screen to the wreath using string or jute twine by making three small holes around the mesh's perimeter and weaving it through.

Hang your creation on a tree or specialty bird feeder pole using the same twine or a readymade planter pot chain ($1.50 from Dollar Tree), then spread your preferred birdfeed on top. The mesh will support the food while also allowing rain to drain, thus ensuring it's kept nice and fresh without risk of mold.

We love projects that turn kitchen utensils into bird feeders, and crafting one from a splatter screen is a surprisingly versatile DIY. You can keep it simple, as above, or personalize it with seasonal flora. Starting with a natural grapevine wreath ($6.50 at Michael's), attach it to your splatter screen, then weave in local flowers or tree cuttings, like sunflowers in summer and holly in winter.

Another great upgrade is to use a small plastic flower pot ($1.50 at Dollar Tree) in a fun color as a bird seed dispenser. Drill three small holes and three larger ones (about a finger wide) around the top lip, making sure to space them out evenly. Fill the pot with bird feed, flip it upside down, and attach it to the mesh screen using wire or string passed through the smaller holes. The larger holes will allow the seed to slowly spill out onto the mesh. What's more, you can further entice birds to visit by hanging a birdseed heart from a piece of string in the middle.

The final step is to use some simple tips and tricks to attract birds to the new feeder. Make sure to place your DIY in a spot where it's clearly visible to birds and fill the feeder in the evening (not the morning) with popular treats, like sunflower hearts, black oil sunflower seeds, and thistle seed.