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Winter can be an unforgiving time for Britain's bird populations. Finding adequate food supplies and ensuring that enough is stored and consumed to survive winter's conditions is the greatest test for birds.
Birds need a layer of fat to ensure their survival during the winter months. Often, the food and nourishment that we provide in our gardens will be the difference between life and death for many of these birds, as natural food will be scarce. Winter's icy conditions and snowfall can also be an obstacle for birds, as food sources will often be covered for extended periods of time.
During winter, birds are more likely to visit our gardens to seek food. People can massively improve these bird's chances of survival by providing food.
Which foods?Most birds that remain in the area during the winter will be species who predominantly eat seeds. Species like the black bird that predominantly feed on insects and worms will usually migrate to warmer climates as the ground will be softer, and the food source will be more accessible. In winter, it is best to offer a wide range of seed feeders to attract a variety of different birds.
Smaller birds such as wrens and blue titsare particularly vulnerable in the winter and additional energy is required to stay warm. Sunflower seeds and peanuts are full of energy, and provide some fat source, which is perfect for bird such as these.
SeedsPeanuts are a rich source of fat and are particularly popular with tits, sparrows and siskins. Crushed or grated peanuts are readily available from retailers and will offer great nutrition for robins. Sunflower seeds are a great choice for your seed feeders; as for many species they are the most natural food source. The high oil content contained in black sunflower seeds also makes a great winter food source.Nyjer seed feeders are also popular with bird feeding. Like other bird feeding seed, they contain high oil content, but are particularly small, so this makes them popular with siskins and goldfinch.
Mixed seeds are also a popular choice. Mixtures will often contain seed, maize and nuts. Smaller feed will generally attract smaller birds such as robins and sparrows. Purchasing crushed seed feed will often be a wiser choice, as larger chunked feed will alienate the smaller species. However, birds such as pigeons can consumer larger feed such as whole nuts, dried rice and oatmeal.
Fatty foods in winterAlthough many of these wild birds will predominantly be seedeaters, offering a fatty food substitute can be a more nourishing alternative. Birds rely on their body's fat stores to see them through the winter period. Fatty foods like fat balls offer an excellent source of energy.
Alternatively, you can create your own fatty nourishment, by combing things like suet or lard, grated cheese and fruits, with carbohydrates such as cooked rice, pasta and potato. However, there are some restrictions in what you can feed birds, never feed a bird with butter and poly-saturated fats as well as meat fats as they will be a breeding ground for bacteria and can become a problem for bird feathers. Fat balls are a better option and offer an energy rich food source, which can quickly replenish bird's fat stores. Dry mealworms can also be added to seed feeders to provide that all-important fat content.
Other considerationsBirdbaths provide a vital water supply and can be used for both drinking and bathing. Winter's conditions can sometimes cause birdbaths to freeze over so items such as twigs and Ping-Pong balls can be added to prevent this. Antifreeze products must always be avoided, as they will be toxic to birds. Tepid water can be replaced daily.
To replenish lost energy from the previous night, birds tend to feed first thing in the morning. Therefore preparing food the night before is suggested. Additional fruit, such as pears and apples, are a great addition. However, be careful when laying out food for birds as they can sometimes attract rodents. Bird tables provide a great safeguard against rodents and can be purchase widely.
Bird feeding all year round is advised, but providing nourishment during the winter months in particularly important. Fatty foods are best for the winter, as fat stores of a bird is very important in order to maintain a healthy body temperature and provide enough energy when food supplies are scarce.
Birds need a layer of fat to ensure their survival during the winter months. Often, the food and nourishment that we provide in our gardens will be the difference between life and death for many of these birds, as natural food will be scarce. Winter's icy conditions and snowfall can also be an obstacle for birds, as food sources will often be covered for extended periods of time.
During winter, birds are more likely to visit our gardens to seek food. People can massively improve these bird's chances of survival by providing food.
Which foods?Most birds that remain in the area during the winter will be species who predominantly eat seeds. Species like the black bird that predominantly feed on insects and worms will usually migrate to warmer climates as the ground will be softer, and the food source will be more accessible. In winter, it is best to offer a wide range of seed feeders to attract a variety of different birds.
Smaller birds such as wrens and blue titsare particularly vulnerable in the winter and additional energy is required to stay warm. Sunflower seeds and peanuts are full of energy, and provide some fat source, which is perfect for bird such as these.
SeedsPeanuts are a rich source of fat and are particularly popular with tits, sparrows and siskins. Crushed or grated peanuts are readily available from retailers and will offer great nutrition for robins. Sunflower seeds are a great choice for your seed feeders; as for many species they are the most natural food source. The high oil content contained in black sunflower seeds also makes a great winter food source.Nyjer seed feeders are also popular with bird feeding. Like other bird feeding seed, they contain high oil content, but are particularly small, so this makes them popular with siskins and goldfinch.
Mixed seeds are also a popular choice. Mixtures will often contain seed, maize and nuts. Smaller feed will generally attract smaller birds such as robins and sparrows. Purchasing crushed seed feed will often be a wiser choice, as larger chunked feed will alienate the smaller species. However, birds such as pigeons can consumer larger feed such as whole nuts, dried rice and oatmeal.
Fatty foods in winterAlthough many of these wild birds will predominantly be seedeaters, offering a fatty food substitute can be a more nourishing alternative. Birds rely on their body's fat stores to see them through the winter period. Fatty foods like fat balls offer an excellent source of energy.
Alternatively, you can create your own fatty nourishment, by combing things like suet or lard, grated cheese and fruits, with carbohydrates such as cooked rice, pasta and potato. However, there are some restrictions in what you can feed birds, never feed a bird with butter and poly-saturated fats as well as meat fats as they will be a breeding ground for bacteria and can become a problem for bird feathers. Fat balls are a better option and offer an energy rich food source, which can quickly replenish bird's fat stores. Dry mealworms can also be added to seed feeders to provide that all-important fat content.
Other considerationsBirdbaths provide a vital water supply and can be used for both drinking and bathing. Winter's conditions can sometimes cause birdbaths to freeze over so items such as twigs and Ping-Pong balls can be added to prevent this. Antifreeze products must always be avoided, as they will be toxic to birds. Tepid water can be replaced daily.
To replenish lost energy from the previous night, birds tend to feed first thing in the morning. Therefore preparing food the night before is suggested. Additional fruit, such as pears and apples, are a great addition. However, be careful when laying out food for birds as they can sometimes attract rodents. Bird tables provide a great safeguard against rodents and can be purchase widely.
Bird feeding all year round is advised, but providing nourishment during the winter months in particularly important. Fatty foods are best for the winter, as fat stores of a bird is very important in order to maintain a healthy body temperature and provide enough energy when food supplies are scarce.
Posted in: Bird Watching
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