Celebrate the Great Maine Outdoor weekend with us!

Bring your family to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature this winter right here at the Topsham Public Library...

Saturday, February 14th-16th is the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend and we are hosting two events on Saturday the 15th:

• From 9:15 on will be a hands-on exploration and identification of the trees along the library's paths using a camera and the Trees of Maine guide.
• Starting at 10:00am will be a DIY bird feeder activity, perfect to honor National Bird Feeding month.  Choose from several feeder options.  When you are through, head outside to hang them up throughout the library's gardens and paths and have fun exploring. 

We look forward to seeing you then!

A Snowy Bird Feeder

Our next bird feeder has been inspired by one of our favorite books: 

Stranger in the Woods.

With our current weather, I'd say it's perfect timing.  Here's how to do it: Build a snow man, woman, dog, elephant... whatever you like.  Add a carrot or orange nose; some nut eyes, mouth and buttons; and sprinkle with bird seed.  Get creative and have fun.  

So get outside and play in the snow.  The birds will thank you!

Here's a little inspiration to get you going:

1.   2.  3.  4.

For the Birds

Did you know that February is National Bird-Feeding Month?

It was established in 1994 as way to publicize the importance and benefits of helping out our feathered friends.

Why February?  This is traditionally the hardest month for wild birds to find food sources as well as water and shelter. 

I can't think of a better month to show our love for the birds that are so important to our gardens and environment!  If you would like to celebrate with us and help keep our little friends fed throughout the month, we will be posting a simple DIY bird feeder each week that you can do with your children and hang outside.

To kick it off, here's a simple hanging feeder:

source: intimateweddings.com

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup water

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

3 Tbsp corn syrup

4 cups bird seed

Combine flour, water, gelatin, and corn syrup in a large bowl.  
Add bird seed and mix well.
Spray the inside of a cookie cutter with cooking spray  (we found a 2-4" size worked best)
Fill the cookie cutter with the bird seed mixture and press down firmly (the firmer it is, the better it will stay together)
Make a hole near the top (but not too close)
Carefully remove cookie cutter 
Let dry for 6-8 hours
Loop a 10" length of jute through the hole and hang outside for birds to enjoy!

Let us know how yours turned out...