Don't Forget the Birds.

[snuffer]

Please remember to keep feeding the birds during this very cold weather. Snow and ice make it very difficult for them to access their wild food supplies. In this weather they are more dependant on what we put out for them.

Please try and make extra effort to keep the feeders topped up. A bird making a journey to an empty feeder where it expects to find food is using energy it can ill afford to waste.

[Two_Sheds]

I have 3 blackbirds, a sparrow and a robin in my garden waiting to be fed.

They get a handful of soaked raisins (which contain valuable water), apples, baked potato, pastry and seeds to peck at.

I put a bowl of water out, but it freezes up within an hour.

[snuffer]

I have 3 blackbirds, a sparrow and a robin in my garden waiting to be fed.

They get a handful of soaked raisins (which contain valuable water), apples, baked potato, pastry and seeds to peck at.

I put a bowl of water out, but it freezes up within an hour.

An important point (thanks Two Sheds). Our feathered friends need water as well. Very difficult to provide at the moment but things like apples and as Two Sheds says soaked raisins will give the birds access to some moisture.

[Nicos]

....was thinking of reminding peeps this morning too!
Like the idea of soaked raisins- I'd've never thought of that! good idea!

[broadway]

Feeders topped up this morning. Good point on the raisins, will buy some today!

[Two_Sheds]

NB: raisins are poisonous to doggies

[broadway]

NB: raisins are poisonous to doggies

Thanks for that TS, better keep my baby away then!!

I put a tray of nuts out an hour ago and they've gone already

[Flummery]

Yesterday I melted some lard (dead of winter's the only time I buy it - the supermarket must think I'm mainlining the stuff!) and stirred in some finely chopped stale bread. I didn't know there were that many birds in East Yorkshire - they turned up all at once!

[broadway]

Yesterday I melted some lard (dead of winter's the only time I buy it - the supermarket must think I'm mainlining the stuff!) and stirred in some finely chopped stale bread. I didn't know there were that many birds in East Yorkshire - they turned up all at once!

Hi Flum,

Do you just let it cool and put it in a tub or bowl?

[mrdinkle]

I've been putting out daily rations inc fresh water. Seems like they are in need of it as they seem to form a queue from first thing!

Not sure if anyone has mentioned, but bread should be soggy (or finely chopped and/or larded ala flum) and highly salted stuff should be avoided.

[snuffer]

Mrs snuffer uses stacks of lard to make fat cakes for the birds. Just uses bird seed, lard, kitchen scraps and flour to help thicken the cakes and make them hold together better. The birds love them and it is much cheaper than buying fat balls.

[motherhen]

I have always fed the birds and get an amazing variety from Woodpeckers, Robins,Tits, Jays to Wrens, Nuthatches, Finches, and loads more, they all feed in different ways and the obvious nut feeders are very popular, the black birds are forever flicking the leaves over to see what's beneath, for some reason I have a pair of Wagtails in the paddock, that seem to love following my horses around, maybe they disturb the ground enough to enable them to feed. Water is difficult to keep from freezing, I try and start the day with warm water so it lasts a bit longer for them.

[Flummery]

We had our first bullfinch in the garden today - the cold weather has obviously brought it in. We see them in the lane a couple of minutes walk away but it's a first for the garden. He was eating seeds from the not-yet-cut-down buddleia. Here's to untidy gardening!

[rustylady]

I'm keeping the feeders topped up, plus they've got apples, raisins, home made fatball, and the skin and fat off the bacon joint I cooked at the weekend. Neighbours must think I'm do-lally taking the kettle out to the bird bath, but it's the only way to melt it. Been rewarded with the sight of sparrows, blackbirds, bluetits, collared doves, robin, starlings and a Jenny Wren.

[mrdinkle]

Funny you mention finches - in the last five years I have seen very few around here, yet since this cold snap I have started to see them (bullfinches, chaffinches). I have been putting out the Niger seed in hope that they will visit my garden!