The danger of frozen water pipes is on my mind during this freezing weather, but I'm also concerned that garden birds are suffering, too.
The danger of frozen water pipes is on my mind during this freezing weather, but I'm also concerned that garden birds are suffering, too.
Water in my bird bath quickly turns into a solid sheet of ice on cold nights, and hasn't been thawing out during the day either, as temperatures struggle to get above zero!
Feeders are replenished with seed and nuts as levels drop, ensuring there is a good supply of these 'high energy' feeds for the many blue tits, great tits, sparrows and starlings actively pecking away, and the blackbirds and robins scurrying around below.
However, birds must have a supply of water, too, so whenever I boil myself a kettle to make a cup of tea I always pop outside with the remaining boiling water to pour onto ice in the bird bath. During the worst weather I've needed a whole kettle of boiling water to melt the ice completely.
It's surprising how quickly birds find this fresh supply of water, but anyone who doesn't have a bird bath can simply fill a plant saucer or bowl with water and stand it on the patio instead.
I remember the Big Freeze of 1963 very well - enjoying deep snow as a young boy - and do recall finding dead pigeons in our garden that must have frozen to death! Quite how any birds survive outside during such cold weather is difficult to understand, but at least I'll try and play my part by ensuring food and water are always available.
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