Keep an eye on your feeders

[Madelinew]

It's worth considering changing your feeding practices in the current weather conditions. I don't usually put food on the ground as the ground feeders have plenty to clear up from below the hanging stuff. However, I've put plenty out in the last couple of days. Most self-respecting cats are not staying out longer than they need to so there is no increase in attack risk. It has been said elsewhere but do make sure you have plenty of high calorie foods out there - fat balls, suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, grated cheese.

At the moment, there is a massive increase in visitors to my garden with all the feeders full of a big variety of birds and the apple tree above is filled with a less than orderly queue.

Also make sure there is an unfrozen supply of water somewhere. Luckily the stream in my garden is still running slowly.

[big bill]

Since the bad weathers et in up here before christmas I have been using seed trays and been putting seed into them have 3 scattered around the garden as every were is covered in frozen snow and they cannot get their normal source of food ,been getting birds that normally feed on farmland into the garden .
Its hard at times keeping up with them and costing a fortune in seed but they cannot help it as times are hard for them just now.

[Purplepixii]

Ditto - I am refilling my feeders as much as twice a day and the queue of hungry visitors seems to be forever growing! Unfortunately my pond has become a victim of the weather so I'm having to break the ice daily and top up water supplies for the birds.

The extra work is worth it though

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, the tit get well enough fed in any weather but the ground-feeders are really having problems at the moment. I put seed/worms/scraps out in small doses - otherwise it gets covered in snow: doesn't seem to bother the pigeons but the robins and dunnocks can't find the food.

Having said that, I've had very few birds on the hoppers - just the occasional parid on its own rather than in twos and threes of three species which is usual. Why are they not feedg? Are they dead from the cold?

[thebeard]

i've had a feeder up for a couple of months now and i've not seen anything on it, living on a busy road, though i think its been used once or twice, but this week i've scattered stuff on the ground and have had blackbirds, my usual dunnock and a wren which has been nice. good to know they're benefiting during this horrible weather. i've noticed a lot of thrush species in the city as well, it must be too cold on the fields to find enough food

[jaykay]

I've just been out to refill my feeders and within minutes of coming back in war has broken out! the resident blackbird and robin are not letting anything near my feeder because I've put dried mealworms out as a special treat! the blackbird has even taken on the magpie and won!

[Swindoom]

Putting out lots of suet pellets, seems to be the favourite at the moment, with meal worms, cheese, sultanas and scones, someone suggested tesco value scones, 33p for 10, the birds seem to really like them. I am also maintaining the normal feeders although they seem to be less used, the birds obviously prefer easy fast fat food. And of course making sure there is always some unfrozen water available.

[mightyminx49]

I had begun to wonder if I was not putting the right food out for the birds as they are rarely using the feeders that I have hung on the washing line. I have fat balls and seed feeders bread and fruit and though the blue tits, robin and other small bird do feed there, it isn't as often as I thought they would, especially since we have all this snow. I have redeployed my old ironingboard and now use it as a bird table in the absence of a proper one. It has more space to put food but as yet there is only the robin who appreciates it. I have noticed that the robin will sit on a perch, look around then swoop in on the feeders ocassionally but prefers forage on the ground nearer to the pile of old plant pots, dog bed and other rubbish that is wating to be disposed of. I am reluctant to get rid of the rubbish incase the robin is nesting among it. Is there anything that I can do to further encourage the birds to feed in my garden. I would also dearly love to re-attract the beautiful bull finch that visited my garden oh so breifly on Monday gone. Any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do put out dried meal worm and fresh water every day. I love to photograph the birds that visit my garden so that I can show my 4 yr old grandson.

[Tobyh]

No less than 11 blackbirds waiting in bushes / trees at the edge of my garden as dawn broke this morning. I go out every morning to top up, clear patches in the snow to put food onto and defrost the bird bath / pond.

I've been putting out sultanas after they have been soaking for 15 minutes or so in warm water - seems the word got out and they can't get enough!

Just wish I was at home today so that I could get some pictures.

*edit to add*

Welcome to WAB mightyminx49.

It may be that relocation of your feeders would pay dividends. Many of the birds like dense cover close by that they can dart into should danger threaten. It sounds as if there are plenty of birds around so perhaps this is all they lack. I also feed on the ground and try to ensure that whereever I feed there is no cat ambush spots close, which helps their confidence.

Can't advise too much with the bullfinch at this time of year but they love to eat blossoms so have planted a cherry and apple tree in my garden to try to encourgage them.

TobyH

[SheffieldLass]

I'm anxiously awaiting a bird food delivery, should have been here a few days ago .... if the birds knew they're now down to 1 days supply left they'd probably be feeling a bit anxious too. Not sure whether the delivery van drivers are braving the snow, or whether the bird food company has been inundated with orders ... but fingers crossed it will turn up today.