2017-10-01 Birds & Bloom

52 birdsandblooms.com OCTOBER (^) I NOVEMBER 2017
Q Can I use leftover bacon grease mixed with
seed as a suet for my backyard birds?
Clara Snyder JOLIET, ILLINOIS
Kenn and Kimberly: Making your own
suet can be rewarding, but there are a
few important things to know before you
begin. While lard is a safe alternative to
rendered suet, avoid using bacon drippings.
The chemical preservatives in commercial
bacon become more concentrated once
cooked. While this doesn’t pose a health
threat to humans, it can be harmful to
birds. Bread and table scraps should be
avoided, too.
NUTCRACKERS
Besides suet and
insects, red-bellied
woodpeckers eat
seeds and nuts. If a
nut is too big, a red-
bellied will wedge it
in a bark crevice and
break it into smaller
pieces with its beak.
MARIE READ
ASK THE EXPERTS