bird feeding

[twitchyt]

Having woke up to 4inch of snow outside, just a week since the last two week of it cleared, during which time l have put out extra seed, nuts, and a few raisins sultana,s, having seen the blackbirds strilp my well laden rowan tree of berries within 2-3 days. So in my smaller front garden l have a small birds house, 5ft high roof on, where l put some food, along with seed feeder
In my bigger back garden l have a wooden pole 6-7ft high with a tray nailed on top, where l put asst food which the bigger birds from fields use, also the usual garden birds, tits, robin, sparrow, blackbird, but with the amount of snow we are getting over last month the tray is regularly covered the freezes,
so trying to think of a quick solution improvisation of keeping a tray of food from being covered in snow, must be a household item l can adapt, just cant think of one at present, does anyone have any idea,s, keeping in mind l,m stuck in and the ground is icy solid.
Another job is keeping an ice free area with ponds, also difficult, daily hot water, a tough time for birds, frogs and fish, mammals as well l,m sure.
Even the town centre pigeons starve, less people less food dropped, and so many dislike and would kill them, kick, bat, set dogs on them, new sport for the ..........., l like most enjoy thrill at the sight of the rare and colourful, but generally dont discriminate, all need a little help in winter,. Sorry to waffle on, will check later for any idea,s on feeding stations, and get my thinking cap on,

[paulinemiller10]

I m using hot water to clear the ice and free the uneaten seed, but the food is being eaten as fast as its put out at the moment, the only way to keep it from freezing is to heat it, maybe put a hot water bottle under the tray on the ground with bricks to hold it in place, or fill plastic milk carton or pop bottle with hot water.

The pond needs to have a hole made with hot water everyday, ice on the pond won't bother wildlife, but gas can build up underneath the ice, and thats not good for fish. Pauline.

[davecatt]

Here's an oid tip from when I was a lad in the 60's

To stop the birds drinking water from freezing we used to punch a couple of small holes in the sides of an old biscuit tin and place it upside down over a lit candle and put a bowl of water on the tin. I think the Idea came from good old Blue Peter

So perhaps you could do something similar with the feed? It would probably mean having to change the candle once or twice but it may be enough to stop the snow completely covering the food.

Dave

[actionfinch]

water is my problem , not being at home all day i melt the water i have in the bird bath first thing ,but i can only imagine its frozen withing a couple of hours if not less...

[twitchyt]

hi thanks for advice, at present boiling water a couple of times a day to make hole in pond for air, fish still swimming about, grateful for that, not sure how the frogs are doing, wondering about slow flow of hot water through hose pipe daily for a while, thawing hose out at present. Putting snacks out daily, much waited for, 7 blackbirds in garden tree today waiting, sparrows and tits arrive later. Must be tough for herons, water fowl generally, all, survival of the fittest l guess. My garden birds a pleasure to feed and watch doing well.
Happy Christmas to all and a good 20ll.

[Kleftiwallah]

Originally Posted by davecatt

Here's an oid tip from when I was a lad in the 60's To stop the birds drinking water from freezing we used to punch a couple of small holes in the sides of an old biscuit tin and place it upside down over a lit candle and put a bowl of water on the tin. I think the Idea came from good old Blue Peter Dave

I do that with an old 'road works parrafin lantern' I 'found'. (I'd love a couple of the big red lenses now)! I've got it in an upturned green plastic flower tub with the base cut out. The water goes in a big shallow earthenware bowl. There is an spooky green glow in the early morn' , but I know if the lamp goes out. Cheers, Tony.

[Goosegogs]

We had a pond and my dad covered one end to make a shelter with planks. We also had a lightweight plastic ball thing floating in the pond. My dad still went down to make sure there was an ice-free patch. The goldfish, shubunkins, fantails, comets... survived quite happily for years with this method.

[Goosegogs]

Perhaps it was about 20 years ago or more, there was a programme, maybe called Bird Brain of Britain, where bird feeders had challenges for the birds to remove/overcome in order to access the food.... Anyone remember this?!

[twitchyt]

Just checked pond this morning, ice now inch thick, but football size opening there still, with a big fat frog in middle, very sluggish in movemnt, but alive, as are fish, will try covering half pond with wood or matting see if it helps,
along with hot water to keep opening. like aptime job with the birds, fish and pets, but love it.