remember -water for wildlife

[Nicos]

Looks like we are in for a few more days of very cold weather...can I please remind you to make sure there is unfrozen water available for the birds and wildlife folks?
Peeps often think of feeding but forget the fresh water!

[Two_Sheds]

I put out raisins soaked in water first. They can't bathe in them, but they are getting some much-needed moisture

[gemlady]

I've been out this morning and put fresh food out for the birds and also some fresh water, but I seem to have a blackbird that's trying to hog it all. He seems to be lying in wait, and every time a poor little robin goes for a drink he chases it off, likewise when it tries to get some food.

[wellie]

Excellent advice.
We've got a kind of Barrel Water Feature thingy in our garden, and our garden birds have come to rely on it over the last 6 or 8 years for their drinking/bathing water. We've got a proper bird-bath too, but they all hate it, and refuse to drink or bathe there? Anyway, I put a plastic ball floating in the water surface of the top barrel to stop it freezing completely, and so far, we've not had any complaints!
With it positioned right outside the conservatory, we've had the most amazing fun watching them all so far this year.