Here is an easy recipe that makes a large number (20-30) of homemade bird suet cakes.
In a large pot, melt 2 lbs of lard and a large jar of crunchy peanut butter together. Pour into a large container, (I use a bucket) mix in 5 lbs of cornmeal, add 4 pounds of birdseed Mix well and refrigerate or freeze after making up the cakes.
To attract Bluebirds, try adding oatmeal instead of the cornmeal, chopped nuts and raisins to the cake mix.
I save and reuse the “cake pans” from commercial suet cakes but you can also use a 9″ x 13″ cake pan and cut into size. Line the cake pan with wax paper to make removing the cut cakes easier. Place the cut pieces into sandwich baggies and freeze until you are ready to use.
You could also roll into balls and insert a Christmas ornament hook for hanging or just serve the balls at the ground feeder.
To keep the squirrels at bay, sprinkle a little hot sauce on the cut cakes. The birds won’t taste it but the squirrels will and they won’t like it!
Put your feeding station in a good location for photography. If you don’t have a perfect place, don’t panic. Find the best spot you can, giving highest priority to areas with good light. As a general rule, try to follow these guidelines.
Place perches strategically around the feeder. To get nice, clean shots of birds in their natural environment, you’ll probably have to “create” perches. Birds like to land on branches near a feeder before eating to make sure the coast is clear. You might want to experiment a little to see which perch works best and where, but I like a plain dead branch stuck into the ground near the feeder. It’s sturdy, doesn’t wilt and it isn’t complicated.
I’m hearing that parts of the country are already getting snow not measured in inches but in feet! When I hear this, my mind wanders back to the days that I lived in Western NY and I remember how beautiful it was but also what a pain the neck it was! I also remember that it was the time I worried most about “my” backyard birds. I felt like they’d never survive without my feeding and providing shelter for them. That of course is nonsense as mother nature provides everything birds need to survive the winter. My providing for them just helps ME to be able to enjoy their presence year round. You almost can’t beat the simple beauty of seeing a red Cardinal or a Blue Jay in a snow covered backyard. It’s simply spectacular! If you want to see birds in your backyard during winter, just provide for their 3 basic needs. Food, Water, and Shelter. It’s that simple.
This month on their website they are sharing how to make birdseed ornaments with just a few ingredients and some cookie cutters. Another idea and a very inexpensive way to feed your feathered friends that they mentioned was to attach dried corn cobs to tree limbs. This will be especially attractive to Blue Jays! When the corn is gone you can spread peanut butter on the cob and roll it in birdseed for an extra treat. (a very inexpensive way to feed.) Whether you are a subscriber or not, their website is a really great resource for anyone who loves gardening or birding and I highly recommend that you visit the site 
