'Wildlife in crisis' in frozen UK

[seasprout]

The RSPB have launch an urgent appeal for people to feed the birds during this cold spell.
BBC News - 'Wildlife in crisis' in frozen UK

The RSPB: Icy blast set to be millennium's greatest wildlife disaster

Can you please do your bit.

[Nicos]

The RSPB have launch an urgent appeal for people to feed the birds during this cold spell.

Can you please do your bit.

...of course...more than happy to!!

[Finedon.Dandy]

I finaly found time to put some feed out Monday and have topped up every day since. Had been feeling really guilty that I hadnt been keeping up with the feeding since the twins arrived but they are now actualy helping me! Well not physically but when I get home from the school run, they are asleep so I park up the pram and do the bird food before I wheel them into the conservatory. I also check the rabbit too - ideal reminder with my new mum brain!!!

[Jeanied]

Have been trudging out in the snow and feeding every bird I can think of before I go to work- chuffed to see the fieldfares (posted on the bird table thread so apols for boasting here) but have also doubled up with apples and pears too.

[snuffer]

We feed the birds all year round here. Even when we go on holiday we make sure there is someone to come over and top up the feeders. We also have what Mrs snuffer calls the 'outlying feeder station' (she means the lottie). I visit the lottie at least once a day (whilst walking the hounds) to make sure the feeders are topped up and to put some mealworms out.

It can be expensive but we buy seed and peanuts by the sack full and Mrs snuffer makes all our own fat cakes into which she incorporates some of our kitchen scraps.

I do not exagerate when I say that there is regularly more than sixty birds feeding in our garden and on occassion there can be over a hundred. You would not believe the noise they can make.

[Jeanied]

Mr and Mrs Snuffer - hats off to you both!!

[Jillyreeves]

Never fed the birds before, that is until yesterday when we put out our new nut feeds and fat balls.

[northepaul]

We've been every day to feed the ducks in the pond behind our house, they are revenous.
I cant put anything up in the garden because between my two neighbours they have 12 cats!

[Two_Sheds]

I've stocked up on Basic sultanas, and am throwing a handful in the hedges as I walk to school (or to get the paper, weekends).

[Nicos]

I've stocked up on Basic sultanas, and am throwing a handful in the hedges as I walk to school (or to get the paper, weekends).

.....brill idea!!

[rustylady]

Bird feeders are topped up, loads of windfall apples left on the patio, home-made fat ball (large) out, raisins daily for the blackbirds. Also having to defrost the water container daily. Plus they've nicked the date "buttons" off the snowman.

[Two_Sheds]

Just a(nother) thought:
My garden, like everyone else's, is getting fresh snow every day. What I've been doing is leaving a bag of compost or a plant pot out overnight. In the morning I move it so there is a bit of unfrozen ground that the food can go on.

[HayleyB]

We've residents in the bushes around the orchard and front garden, probably a couple of hundred small birds, yep they make an absolute racket, we buy bulk peanuts and birdseed from our feed supplier, amazing how quick it goes down. Pork fat trimmings by the gate has frozen though

[motherhen]

I have fed the birds here every day for many years and I am more vigilant, if the weather is as crazy as this. I get so many birds around my normal feed table that I have set up another one down in the stable yard, I've noticed the birds seem to wait in the surrounding bushes for their turn so I thought I would give extra availability, I also feed as much variety as I can they all seem to like different things. It is the water that I am finding most difficult to keep unfrozen, but I freshen it at least twice a day.
There is a mad rush in the morning, so when I come up from the horses in the evening its dark, so I top all my nut feeders, suet blocks and seed feeders then so its all ready for the early feeders, I can see the main table from the window as I eat my breakfast, its always a lovely start to the day even in this weather.

[blito]

i put out peanuts and kitchen scraps on our birdtable, as well as providing a bowl of water, but the birds are wary of using it - there are four cats in the local pride (yes, they do socialise!) one of which is my own. The neighbours on both side also put out plenty of seed in feeders...