How to look after wild birds in winter

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bird feeder

How to look after wild birds in winter

Winter can be a hugely challenging time for wild birds. Frozen ground means that worms and other bugs stay below the surface and are harder to reach, snow or frost-covered landscapes are much more difficult to navigate and food is generally scarce. Add to this the need for birds to maintain a high daily intake of nutrients to replace the energy used to protect them from the cold, and winter becomes even more challenging – wild birds need more food at a time when it’s harder to find. This is where you can step in to help.

Fat is crucial

Birds don’t store fat like humans do. In order to fly, they must stay as light as possible, so their fat requirements must be met by eating a steady diet of vital nutrients throughout the day. Most birds feed all day long in winter to have enough energy on board to see them through the night.

Fat balls provide an easily accessible food source. Commercially produced fat balls are excellent, but you can also make your own using suet, lard or any fat that forms a solid when cool. Fat balls can be placed on a bird table platform, hung from a feeder or hung from tree branches. Keep them high to ensure domestic pets can’t disturb the birds as they feed, and to deter any other predators, like urban foxes.

Regular feeding helps

Birds love seeds and nuts and, again, buying a ready mix from your local garden centre means you are offering a balanced, healthy option. You can also tempt specific species with treats that they love. Sparrows and robins are particularly fond of sunflower hearts, greenfinches and goldfinches can’t resist niger seeds, and blackbirds and starlings have a real taste for mealworms. Finches, siskins and tits enjoy peanuts, and all your feathered visitors will appreciate fat balls.

Water is important too

In freezing temperatures, birds can find it hard to access water, so a bird bath or a fixed water bowl that is replenished regularly is a good idea. On cold mornings, check the surface isn’t frozen and remove any ice, rather than break it, to avoid sharp edges. Change the water daily if possible, as stagnant water can harbour harmful bacteria.

Keep feeding areas clean and free from uneaten food

Good hygiene prevents the spread of disease. Sweep away fallen food below your bird table and wipe down the feeding surface itself every few days. Each time you refill your bird feeder, give it a quick wipe out too. This also helps keep away unwelcome overnight visitors, such as mice and rats.

Store cupboard favourites

You can supplement your bird food mix with a handful of ordinary dry cereal, but avoid anything containing too much sugar. Grated hard cheese like cheddar goes down well, and cat food or dog food will also tempt birds, but be wary about enticing local pets into your garden too!

Feeding your local bird population regularly is a rewarding way to help, and it means you’ll always have a fascinating wildlife documentary playing out right outside your windows.

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