Helping birds in the Winter?

[demicav]

This year has been a big year for me getting to know all the different birds. I started to feed the birds in the garden several months ago and now see so many different species it's unbelievable. My 9yr old daughter commented this morning on how much I know about birds, all learnt in a matter of months and I must say much of it has been thanks to WAB. So I thought I would query what to do for birds in the winter. I've got the usual seed out, dried mealworms and some fat balls which the Sparrows and Tit family love. Is there anything else I can do to help them out ? Some of the birds I can visually recognize now and I'm hoping in Spring they'll be nesting nearby so I can feed their young as well.

[aeshna5]

A supply of fresh water for drinking/bathing is useful. Also to garden in a wildlife-friendly manner- the garden doesn't have to be a wilderness; though too much tidiness is detrimental to variety of wildlife, things such as not using pesticides such as slug pellets/insecticides, grow berry bearing shrubs, etc.

Sounds like you're already doing a lot of good + it's great that your daughter is taking an interest as well. Good luck in attracting more birds + other wildlife!

[demicav]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

A supply of fresh water for drinking/bathing is useful. Also to garden in a wildlife-friendly manner- the garden doesn't have to be a wilderness; though too much tidiness is detrimental to variety of wildlife, things such as not using pesticides such as slug pellets/insecticides, grow berry bearing shrubs, etc.

Sounds like you're already doing a lot of good + it's great that your daughter is taking an interest as well. Good luck in attracting more birds + other wildlife!

Thank you for that. I must remember to put water out, keep forgetting that one . Very good advise, thanks again.

[John]

The problem with water at this time of the year is that it can freeze so you must keep an eye up for that. I have built a pond with a small waterfall and stream into it. I have kept the pumps running through the winter which has kept water flowing at all times. The birds have gotten used to this and drink and bathe frequently.

Regarding seeds. Are you using Sunflower Hearts. If not I would recommend you do is they are the best feed for birds and pulls them from all over the place.

Making your own fat blocks is another good bet. I use melted lard and mix in cheap porridge oats, mixed seed and sunflower hearts, kibbled nuts and quite a bit of dried fruit. The birds love it.

John

[demicav]

Originally Posted by John

The problem with water at this time of the year is that it can freeze so you must keep an eye up for that. I have built a pond with a small waterfall and stream into it. I have kept the pumps running through the winter which has kept water flowing at all times. The birds have gotten used to this and drink and bathe frequently.

Regarding seeds. Are you using Sunflower Hearts. If not I would recommend you do is they are the best feed for birds and pulls them from all over the place.

Making your own fat blocks is another good bet. I use melted lard and mix in cheap porridge oats, mixed seed and sunflower hearts, kibbled nuts and quite a bit of dried fruit. The birds love it.

John

Thanks John. I'm pretty sure there are no sunflower hearts in the mix but rest assured there will be some out soon. Fat block recipe sounds great as well, thanks again.

[Ollie]

I agree with John 100% on making your own fat balls or cakes, the birds love them much more than the bought variety and I'm sure they work out cheaper as well.

Again in full agreement with sunflower hearts. I had been trying to attract Goldfinches to our feeders with Niger seed without any luck. Within a week of putting a sunflower heart feeder out we have two Goldfinches on a daily basis.

Although we haven't a pond we do have a very small water feature with a small punp and fountain and many birds drink from it as it never freezes up.

We have a variety of berry bearing shrubs that the birds eat. We find blackbirds are very partial to Pyracantha berries. We also have a Cotoneaster, the trype that grows close to a wall. It provides much shelter for insects behind it and the Wren that visits on a regular basis can often be seen foraging around behind it.

Roger

[The Black Rabbit]

I'm afraid I didn't do the washing up particularly carefully last night, and went out the back door this morning for an outdoors wake me up coffee, to find a robin picking the odd bit of rice from the outdoor sink drain - a few dregs from last nights tea - our paella!
Very shameful I know!
Doug

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by John

The problem with water at this time of the year is that it can freeze so you must keep an eye up for that. I have built a pond with a small waterfall and stream into it. I have kept the pumps running through the winter which has kept water flowing at all times. The birds have gotten used to this and drink and bathe frequently.

Regarding seeds. Are you using Sunflower Hearts. If not I would recommend you do is they are the best feed for birds and pulls them from all over the place.

Making your own fat blocks is another good bet. I use melted lard and mix in cheap porridge oats, mixed seed and sunflower hearts, kibbled nuts and quite a bit of dried fruit. The birds love it.

John

hi john i have the pump running all year as well, on the pond pluss water feature,and a large bird bath but that dose freeze over,so i think the moving water is the best method then you havnt even got to think about it,even in the coldest of weather i have never known the water feature to compleatly stop,which to me is one less trouble to worry about.

[mrs fish]

I go out in the mornings with a jug full of hot water to melt the bird bath water

Also in the mornings when it is cold I put some mixed seed on the table and ground as well as grated cheese,chopped nuts and sultanas on the shed roof, I'm sure this does help as their food in the feeders is frozen first thing.

[zharca]

Hi, we've been using up all the windfall apples - just cutting them in half and leaving them out on the lawn. Got through sixteen this week!!
Fruit-eaters like blackbirds love them and a magpie can nearly scoff a whole one in one go. We have a Fox who likes them, too.

[demicav]

Thank you for all your replies, all very good advice, gratefully received.