Cold spells and Snow

[Picidae]

With a cold spell now here and snow forecast through much of the Country, birds are in for a tougher time. We are heading into the winter period now where casualties become high especially amongst first year birds (this is 'nature's' way of weeding out the weaker birds and it's nothing unusual, usually compensated amongst smaller species by productivity in the breeding season. However, as most of us know, bird populations can crash periodically for a variety of reasons (Goldcrests have had a particularly bad year), so additional help in harsh weather can help keep populations up until next Spring.

Some tips (If anyone has any to add, please feel free - likewise if any 'advice' is ill conceived!)

FEEDING

Birds require high energy food to see them through the cold nights.

Fat balls and other fat-based foods can be bought ready made from most pet shops or ordered online. If you buy any in mesh netting, please remove the netting and place in a suitable feeder - there have been numerous reported injuries and fatalities due to birds getting caught up in the nets. There are plenty of recipes elsewhere on WAB for homemade ones (use about one third fat (Lard or Suet) to two thirds mixture). Ensure fat mixtures are hard or it causes problems for preening.

Also: Peanuts are very high energy and can be fed whole this time of year (again remove netting).

Other foods: potatoes (cooked), dried fruit, pastry (raw or cooked), cooked rice (without salt), dry porridge oats, small quantities of moist brown bread (but remember, bread contains little nutrition and just bulks birds stomachs), mild grated cheese. Ensure seed mixes are a good quality and bought from reputable supplier. The better ones contain plenty of maize, sunflower and peanut granules and not bulked out with dried corn, wheat and barley which is better for pigeons!

Ensure all feeding areas are swept clean each day - during times of snow, keep an area clear of snow and clean surfaces/patio area. Scrub feeders/tables with diluted disinfectant regularly.

WATER

It's essential to provide water during frozen weather - even at this time of year, birds can become dehydrated and they need also to keep their feathers in good condition to keep warm. Do not add chemicals etc to keep water in bird baths unfrozen. Placing a floating ball into the water can help in milder temperatures and there is a natural 'anti-freeze' for bird baths called IceGuard on the market which is eco-friendly and made from plant extracts. (It costs about £7 but is effective down to -4C). Bird baths must be scrubbed with diluted disinfectant, daily if heavily used and defrosted each day - do not leave boiling water unguarded in a bird bath! (also, water defrosted with boiling water refreezes faster (I think, but could be old wives tale!).


Some people may like to add what food is particularly good for particular species ...

[earthdragon64]

Great idea for a thread Picidae.

We had a spell of very cold weather here last week, from Thursday to Sunday the temperature barely reached as high as zero degrees and was down to about -9c at nights. I noticed my garden feeders were a lot busier than usual.

I feed fat balls, peanuts, sunflower hearts and nijer seed and also different left-over fruit as well. Grapes, Blueberries and Apples are favourites. I also read on here about freezing surplus fruits, or even Rowan berries, during summer and autumn and then defrosting them and putting them out for the birds during cold weather, I think it was Larachmor who suggested it.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

Great idea for a thread Picidae.....

Hear hear

Jeff

[rossy]

good advice picidae just wondering has anyone tried a coconut chopped in half and hung upside down as tits like them ? rossy.

[loripo]

Just to enlarge on what Picidae said about fat balls 'Ensure fat mixtures are hard or it causes problems for preening' - a book I'm reading says that margerine or low fat spreads can interfere with the insulating qualities of feathers if they come into contact with these fats. I live in a flat so don't have an 'outside' but I do 'remote feeding' by sending all these tips and recipes to my daughter who does

[Swindoom]

To ensure unfrozen water during these freezing times, I bought a floating island pond heater, keeps water unfrozen down to -18. I bought a very large planter, filled it with water and placed the pond heater in it. This morning everything frozen solid except the water heated by the pond heater island. Also took RSPB advice, metal tray filled with water, support by bricks and heated by tea lights. So there is always at least one source of water available.

[AshLee]

Brill advice Picidae, thanks!

[Tringa]

First snow of the winter here in east London.

The feeders are very busy - mainly great tits and blue tits. I have found that starlings love anything fatty, but the star visitor this morning was this one.

We hear them fairly frequently and see them now an again, but they usually don't come this close to the house (about 12 feet).

[Madelinew]

Lovely pic Tringa. My feeders were very busy this morning and even more so when I went out and topped everything up and added various high energy foods to the table. I must have had almost a dozen species in my apple tree/feeding station at one point. Jealous of your sparrows - I have none.

[ChrissyMarie]

Originally Posted by Picidae

With a cold spell now here and snow forecast

Some people may like to add what food is particularly good for particular species ...

Thanks for all of that Picadae, some good tips and a nice list. I have been handfeeding a robin with mealworms but he seems to have developed a fondness for cheese as well which I was wondering about