Feed the birds

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 07:21 PM

I'm sure the vast majority on here will feed the birds, but if you are one of the few that don't would you please consider it in these hard times. 1000s of birds perish in these conditions we are having now and our hand outs will save 1000s more.

wizzo · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 07:28 PM

Hear, hear Fudgey! I've dramatically increased the amount and variety of feed that I'm putting out. I've noticed that the birds are almost roosting in our apple tree. I'm also leaving food out for the local foxes on a nightly basis. They really seem to enjoy it too! - Wizzo

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 07:39 PM

And don't forget water too!

Beekeeper · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 07:41 PM

I remember in the winter of 1962, many birds died, especially blackbirds for some reason but the folowing summer they were back in even greater numbers, it seems nature balances any shortfall, however i do agree that one bird life saved makes feeding very worthwhile.

Ian

SusieBee · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 08:06 PM

Great Idea for a thread Fudgey

As you've already said many of us here probably do already feed the birds but no harm in pushin it....

I try to encourage as many people as poss, especially if I know they don't!

Like dropping little hints.....Oh the birds would love that!

There's so much food we put in our bins that would help them survive.

rossy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 09:42 PM

yes putting out oats , sultanas, grapes red, sunflower hearts , sunflower seeds, also found in asda 2k bags of seeds for a pound thats a bargain, so stocked up and the birds are getting plenty here. rossy.

SuzieandFlo · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 11:32 PM

Feeding them here in snowy Scotland

.
Right now , I am grilling some unsmoked bacon for tomorrow morning. I have some chicken scraps. I've put broth mix, corn and pasta in a bowl with boiling water to soak. This, along with some chopped apple , sultanas , "Trill" budgie seed (red,yellow,white millet,oats and canary seed, with some poppy seed , linseed, sesame seed, pumpkin seed and sunflower seeds added), grated cheese and crushed weetabix should keep my birds from starving in the morning.
They appear to enjoy this mixture of food as there's never anything left. Today, they had some crushed popcorn with a little butter, honey ,veg oil and golden caster sugar mixed through it

.
They will be waiting in the morning for breakfast

.
(Think I'll try puting a little of the seed mix at the edge of the garden close to the dry dead grass and weeds. Mr Bullfinch might like that

.).

Natasha_38 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 11:24 AM

I've just made up a popcorn mix after seeing it on other posts so am just waiting for it to cool down & will then put it out to see how that goes down.
As well as the seed feeders/fat balls I've been putting out sultanas, mixed seeds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet & cheese gratings all of which seem to disappear pretty quickly. A pheasant has been visiting since Christams & he was actually outside waiting in the bushes this morning. He is absolutely beautiful, the loveliest greens & blues on his head. I can't get anything done today as I seem to be glued to looking at the birds from the window!

rossy · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 07:06 PM

two things today whilst working in manchester and the stark reality of feeding the birds 1st a frozen chick of a pigeon dead of course maybe 2 weeks old and later watched pigeons going into plastic bags on the top of bins searching for food whilst a pied wagtail and blackbirds went under the bins. so like fudgey put up to us all keep feeding the birds they really need our help ! rossy.