Spring is upon us, and with the increasingly beautiful weather comes an abundance of wildlife returning to our yards. I always adored sitting by the window and keeping an eye on the bird feeders in my garden growing up. I'd even jot down the names of each species I saw, seeing how many new birds would arrive as the season unfolded.

Putting food out for wild birds is a sure-fire way to win their hearts, and this DIY bird feeding garland by Miriam of Unfollow The Path on Instagram is a great place to start. It's easy to make, very bird-friendly and contains a wide variety of nutritious nibbles.

Here's some info on how to make your own, as well as what a bird pro thinks of the DIY overall. You'll have feathery friends flocking to your yard in no time.

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Why is a garland like this a good idea?

There are so many different ways to leave food out for birds, from special feeders and tables to hanging grazing blocks, sprinkling loose seed, and more. But a major pro that comes with making a garland like this, according to Bob Mulvihill, lead ornithologist at The National Aviary, is how customizable it is.

He shared: "A project like this garland can be incredibly fun, and you can even involve your kids in the process. It's also a great way to use up foods you may not be able to finish eating before they go bad in your home - permitted that they're bird-friendly."

Especially if you're using leftovers in your garland, it's also a highly inexpensive way to feed birds in your local area as they prepare to breed in spring.

How do I make this garland?

Making this garland only requires three things: a drill, a long, flexible branch, and an assortment of goodies for the birds to feast on.

You simply drill a hole into each item you want to feed your birds, thread it through the flexible branch, and then tie your branch up for the birds to use.

It's best to aim for the middle of each item when you're drilling your holes. That way, they will be the most secure they can be and it will take longer for your birds to nibble through to the center and cause the snack to fall off the flexible branch.

If you're hoping to incorporate seed or other small pieces on your DIY bird feeder, it won't be possible to drill holes into them. However, there's a simple remedy that will make adding seeds more than possible - pinecones and peanut butter!

What else can I add to my garland?

In the video, Miriam added apples, oranges, peanuts, peanut butter and bird seed but there are so many other great additions to choose from.

Though if you're adding nuts, Bob notes how it's vital to use unsalted ones. He said: "Unsalted peanuts are an excellent food for birds, but they have to be unsalted. Otherwise, they pose health risks!

"It's also important to remember that whole peanuts strung on your garland would only be able to be eaten easily by birds that can break open the shells. However, small birds can still chisel away at them over time!"

Here's a list of other great additions for a bird food garland:

• Oats
• Raisins
• Saltanas
• Leftover rice or pasta
• Corn
• Currants
• Strawberries

How to add seeds and small items

Seeds are adored by birds, and varieties like sunflower seeds are amazing at providing them with healthy essential fats. To add seeds onto your bird food garland, simply gather some pinecones, twine, and 100 per cent peanut butter.

Tie a piece of twine around your pinecone so you will be able to loop the string around your garland.

Next, smother the pinecone in peanut butter. Now you can easily roll the pinecone in a mixture of seeds and they will stick to the peanut butter.

It's important to opt for 100 per cent peanut butter as it won't have any added salt or sugar. It's often available in grocery stores, so just take a moment to read the packaging!

If you notice birds aren't coming to your garland, try moving it. If nothing seems to help though it's best to take the garland down to ensure ants or rats aren't attracted to it.

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