Whirligigs are not only fun to make and look at, but they serve two important purposes. They're perfect to put in the yard if you live in an area susceptible to storms, like the Midwest. The turning whirligigs can show where the wind is coming from, thus indicating storm location.
Whirligigs can also help scare away furry critters that want to munch garden plants.
You can buy whirligigs at any garden supply or home improvement store, or try making your own. Here's how to make a cardinal whirligig. Trace the pattern onto a scrap piece of wood and cut it out using a scroll saw or a jigsaw. Cut out two pieces of wood for mounting the wing pieces to the body of the bird. The vinyl wings will attach to these blocks.