Country Ecology: Suet

I find that our native woodpeckers who commonly come to bird-feeding stations like beef suet displayed in a lobster bait bag. I purchase these bright-orange polypropylene sacks down on the Seacoast, at fishery supply places, then bring them back here to use. Lobster bait bags are strong enough to withstand tearing lobster claws, but not a raccoon’s teeth.

Bears store fat for their long winter hibernation; just as we humans put on a few pounds around the middle during these months. But the birds can’t — they have a higher metabolism and don’t store fat easily. They build up some in their breasts during migration periods for their long flights, but mostly have to consume food constantly to stay alive.