Feed the Birds Day

[Wild-Woman]

The RSPB Feed the Birds Day is on the 28th of this month. I know we all do already but has anyone got any good ideas on how to encourage others to do likewise?
I'm going to buy a tub of fat balls and give one to each work colleague in the hope that it will start them off on the road to looking after our feathered friends. Julie

[eeyore]

We should collect up designs for do it yourself bird feeders etc , turn them into educational activity sheets then ask stu to offer them for download for primary schools, be a nice way of bumping WABs educational profile too

Also we could ask Stu to add a bird feeders , tables , etc category to the reviews section and make sure that that gets plenty of content added in the run up to ther day

[mrs fish]

Do you think people should be encouraged to feed the birds at the moment with "Trichomoniasis" spreading across the country?

[eeyore]

The BTO recomend that you practice good hygeine at feeding station , which you should do anyway , and if there is an outbreak in your area - which will be apparent from the high finch mortality you shoukld stop feeding fotr a short time , they recomend up to two weeks, more info here Disease outbreak latest

however this disease should not put people of fededing in general - a stance which the rspb obviously support as they are behind "feed the birds day" as if people dont feed the birds and we have a hard winter far more will die of starvation than from this disease.

[mrs fish]

There is no date on the update?
I know from Autumn Watch viewers it seems quite bad as they have been posting alot on the message boards and people haven't been given advice as what to do or not do.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

There is no date on the update?
I know from Autumn Watch viewers it seems quite bad as they have been posting alot on the message boards and people haven't been given advice as what to do or not do.

the date is right at the bottom , last updated 13th sept - but I am sure that if there was major new advice since then the BTO and the RSPB would be aware of it

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Do you think people should be encouraged to feed the birds at the moment with "Trichomoniasis" spreading across the country?

Well with good hygiene and rotation of feeders we can hope that feeding the birds will enhance their own immune system. Hungry birds will be less resilient against the disease. A good point made Mrs Fish but I think on balance the birds need our help and it's just up to us to observe what's going on in our green spaces and act accordingly as the RSPB prescribes. Julie

[canonman]

Hi Julie
It sounds like a good idea, the only reservation I might have, is if they start feeding the birds, it is very import that they continue to do so.
I fear many will only do this for a week or so and then stop, when they realize that buying bird food is not that cheap.
I doubt that many will even consider putting food out in the winter months
I know it sound like I’m putting the dampers on this, I'm not I wish more people would join all of use across the country that do this day in and day out, not only for the pleasure birds bring to us, put I believe that many birds today depend on us all.
I'm all for trying to educate people about this but not sure it's the right way to go
Mick

[eeyore]

Good points mick , this is why it is important that organisations like WAB get involved so that we can ensure that we put over the right message.

For instance if we can use the day to get kids interested then the parents are more likely to continue feeding if they see it as educational for their little darling , especially if they are using a feeder little johny or janey has made - "mummmeeeee why havent you filled up my feeeeder"

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by canonman

Hi Julie
It sounds like a good idea, the only reservation I might have, is if they start feeding the birds, it is very import that they continue to do so.
I fear many will only do this for a week or so and then stop, when they realize that buying bird food is not that cheap.
I doubt that many will even consider putting food out in the winter months
I know it sound like I’m putting the dampers on this, I'm not I wish more people would join all of use across the country that do this day in and day out, not only for the pleasure birds bring to us, put I believe that many birds today depend on us all.
I'm all for trying to educate people about this but not sure it's the right way to go
Mick

Yes I agree Mick. Some people will never have tried it so whether they do or don't continue, hopefully a few will. That would be a success for me.
I will of course be explaining that it's an expense, but a worthwhile one. Cheers. Julie.

[May]

Originally Posted by canonman

Hi Julie
It sounds like a good idea, the only reservation I might have, is if they start feeding the birds, it is very import that they continue to do so.
I fear many will only do this for a week or so and then stop, when they realize that buying bird food is not that cheap.
I doubt that many will even consider putting food out in the winter months
I know it sound like I’m putting the dampers on this, I'm not I wish more people would join all of use across the country that do this day in and day out, not only for the pleasure birds bring to us, put I believe that many birds today depend on us all.
I'm all for trying to educate people about this but not sure it's the right way to go
Mick

My thoughts exactly. Most people would do it for a while then stop because, "Someone else will do it, what does it matter if I stop?"

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by May

My thoughts exactly. Most people would do it for a while then stop because, "Someone else will do it, what does it matter if I stop?"

true but also some people will do it for a while , get totally hooked on it and have a new interest come into their lives , the lives of their kids etc etc , as the primary birds charity in the country thinks its a good idea ,....

[May]

Originally Posted by eeyore

true but also some people will do it for a while , get totally hooked on it and have a new interest come into their lives , the lives of their kids etc etc , as the primary birds charity in the country thinks its a good idea ,....

I really do hope so

Our neighbours stopped feeding the birds when we started, which is sad.