Talkback: Garden bird care in winter - Talkback

11/01/2010 at 12:33

I'm trying to do my bit for the birds as well, unfortunately we have run out of seed and cannot get to the shops at present(snowed in). I have been putting out bread crumbs, fat that I've cut off slices of ham, rehydrated sultanas cut into small pieces and shredded suet. They have eaten all the bread and fat, but have not touched the sultanas or suet, any ideas why?

Gardeners' World Web User

11/01/2010 at 13:23

I have put out stale mincepies containing dried fruits and a small amount of suet. Every crumb (pastry and fruit) has been eaten.

Gardeners' World Web User

11/01/2010 at 17:06

Living in suburbia and keen on house maintenance, I know there is always water available in guttering. Except in the most severe weather, the south facing roof will always thaw during the day providing water. As gardeners what birds need most, is cover from the weather and predators. So evergreens come into their own at this time of year and every garden should have at least one. Also the leaf litter below is usually free of frost so it is here I dispense a chopped desert apple to please the robin and his fellow thrushes. However the bird bath can be very entertaining, so well worthwhile filling with hot water.

Gardeners' World Web User

11/01/2010 at 23:26

re the frozen water for birds, I have put a pot saucer on some bricks and put a candle underneath helps to keep water free from ice.

Gardeners' World Web User

12/01/2010 at 08:32

I am writing from Estonia and in here winters with temperatures below zero are normal. I have never heard anyone here trying to give water to birds in winter, it is pointless, as it will freeze in a moment. There is, however, one important thing to remember - do not give anything salted to birds: no ham or minced meat you eat (because there is salt in it). This is what children here are taught already in kindergartens and schools - if you give fat or sunflower seeds or something else to birds, make sure that it is not salted, otherwise the birds will die in thirst.

Gardeners' World Web User

12/01/2010 at 13:08

Thank you Maarja. I have taken note of your comment.

Gardeners' World Web User

12/01/2010 at 17:57

The salt content is a very good point, but I have watched birds in my garden eating snow to avoid thirst, and this must bring their body temperatures down, when I do melt and top up the bird bath it is quickly used by sparrows, blue tits, robins and many others, so I do think it's worthwhile to keep doing this in cold snaps, especially if they have already come to rely on you!

Gardeners' World Web User

13/01/2010 at 09:32

We live in North Germany. Have you noticed how few birds there are this year? We normally have temps of -10 to -20C° and every year we feed many birds, going through at least 20kg of bird feed EVERY year. So far this year up to 13 Jan we have only used about 5 kg bird feed although IT IS NOT REALLY ALL THAT COLD HERE, average -5 C or so, A lot of people have noticed that there are not as many birds as normal, friends in UK say same. Is this Normal or are we mistaken? Thank you

Gardeners' World Web User

13/01/2010 at 10:11

To be fair as a statistician rather than an ornithologist, the answer could be that because your temperatures are not as low, the birds are not as hungry and are staying in their normal habitats? We have had loads of birds in Oxford, with Redwings and Blackcaps joining in with our normal birds to feed.

Gardeners' World Web User

13/01/2010 at 14:37

Providing water for birds is important not only for drinking but also feather care. This winter in south wales I have seen redwing in the garden for the ist time in years. Also much larger numbers of mistle and song thrush than normal.

Gardeners' World Web User

13/01/2010 at 21:21

Here in Richmond, North Yorkshire, I have put out lots of seeds, there are many birds, but some days the birds do not seem to be interested in them, they seem to like the wholemeal grain bread though.

Gardeners' World Web User

14/01/2010 at 18:48

Gardening How to Build a Raised Garden Bed http://www.clickbanksecrets.org/gardening/

Gardeners' World Web User

17/01/2010 at 13:12

Does anyone know a way of deterring voles from tunnelling all over the garden? My lawn is now full of small holes and the head lawn keeper is not happy. We are visited by owls and neighbours' cats but so far the little critturs are winning. I am not keen to put down poison, for obvious reasons.

Gardeners' World Web User

17/01/2010 at 18:45

we always feed the birds , in fact i ring our local radio station to ask them to remind listeners to feed the birds twice a day liz c

Gardeners' World Web User

24/01/2010 at 20:20

I feed the birds in my garden, we are in centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. I have a bird table that I put on different types of seeds, I put on the mealworms and these go down a r treat! I always take time out to clear away old uneaten seed and then clean the bird table before I put fresh seed on. I have seen different types of birds by having different types of feeders, the green finch is the latest visitor to my garden. The fat balls also always go down a treat with the blue tits. I cannot stress enough how important it is to feed and take care of our garden birds!

Gardeners' World Web User

25/01/2010 at 00:37

We have had many different birds deperate for food come flocking into the garden.So I Cooked loads of diffent pasta,and Rice and left it out for the Birds(for which they were very grateful) our daughter was a bit miffed though!We even had some gulls come feasting.There were loads of nuts left over from christmas,so I chopped them up. I even dug up my lawn so the birds could have a fresh supply of worms and other soil borne insects.It was like eating at the ritz,but not as expensive! I can always grow another lawn,but once a bird has starved to death that is it!

Gardeners' World Web User

01/12/2010 at 18:41

It's a full time job keeping the birds fed at this time of the year up here in Scotland. Robins, blue tits, starlings, pigeons, jackdaws, sparrows & blackbirds all appreciate seeds, unsalted peanuts, fat balls, seeded bread, corn, mince. The blackbirds adore raisins. They sit on the frozen bird bath in the morning waiting for us to replenish the water. This year they are very keen to bathe which surprised us given how chilly & snow-covered everything is at present. I expect their plumage needs particular attention in order to help with insulation.

Gardeners' World Web User

28/11/2011 at 18:40

i think i had a Curlew in my back garden a few evenings ago,saw a small form sitting in the snow and ive never saw a beak so long and thin,just had 2robins,2blue tits,2pigeons and lots pf spuggys in just now.x

Your say

Terms and Conditions | Code of Conduct

Email me when a response is made?