Daily Record Columnist
Wimberley — Carrie Griffis of Port Orchard, Wash., has developed a recipe for peanut butter suet dough that she claims birds dearly love. In fact, she has hand-fed an adult pileated woodpecker with this treat. It is also recommended for bluebirds, Carolina wrens, nuthatches, towhees and other woodpeckers.
Here are the ingredients – 1 cup melted lard or beef suet; 1 cup peanut butter; 2 cups quick oats; 2 cups yellow cornmeal; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup sugar (optional).
To prepare, melt lard and peanut butter together on a low burner. Take off heat, and add remaining ingredients. Spread on a cookie sheet, and allow to cool in the refrigerator until the mixture is just hard enough to cut into pieces. Store in freezer bags and use as needed.
I have not tried this, but I am assured it is easy to make, easy to store and is high in fat and protein which birds need in severe weather.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own suet, I’d recommend Tractor Supply as a good source for ready-made blocks. They have a wide variety, reasonably priced.
