Freezing weather and snow food for the birds!The prolonged winter weather will continue to pose a significant threat to wild birds as they struggle to find a decent meal. This has led to a huge number of calls from concerned members of the public wanting to know what’s best to feed them. Ideally, we recommend feeding twice daily If possible, in the morning and early afternoon. Birds require high energy foods during the cold to helps survive the frosty nights. Fruit is high on the menu at the moment, as well as premium seed mixes and pure suet and lard. Avoid using fats left over from cooking meats as they are to soft and form ideal breeding grounds for food poisoning bacteria.
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How to stop iceWe suggest placing a ping pong ball, tennis ball or cork in unfrozen water. Movement of these items in the wind keeps the water agitated, making it less likely to freeze. You could also use short lengths of garden cane or twigs in a similar way. They would also provide a great perch for birds. Even if this just keeps a small amount of water ice-free, it still means birds have vital access to something to drink and bathe in. Just use warm water rather than boiling to melt ice.
Redwing and FieldfareA countless numbers reports have come detailing sightings of both redwing and fieldfare. Surprisingly to many they are widespread and often common during the winter. Combined numbers can be around 1.5 million birds. In addition, many birds that winter in southern Europe migrate through Britain – not just those from Scandinavia and Siberia. The migrating birds travel in large flocks, which may contain a thousand birds or more.
What’s that in the garden?The cold winter weather has also led to a number of more unusual species visiting garden feeders in search of a much-needed meal. Including overwintering blackcap defending their food supplies, snipe, woodcock, stonechat, reed bunting and grey wagtails to name but a few.
Equally, these species sometimes cause confusion on identification. For example, redwing and fieldfare have been confused with little bunting and ortolan bunting and grey wagtails being confused with the summer visiting yellow wagtail.
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