JohnC
|
|
« on: December 23, 2009, 08:06:21 am » |
|
Can I just put in a word for birds during this bitterly cold spell. As well as food they need water but it's hard trying to keep water from freezing-we have running water on the pond but I try to keep some in the bird bath too-proving very difficult.
We've had wagtails (pied and yellow) blue/great ****,sparrows,starlings robins,blackbirds-these last two go for the mealworms- crows and even seagulls (the bread)
Here' some of the food that will help them through and you can get seed,nuts and mealworm even the bird fatball/nut feeder in the supermarket,no need to locate a specialist shop
If it's bread -then brown or wholemeal rather than white and if it freezes just add warm water now and then but don't leave out too long Wild Bird Seed. If there are no cats about then a small pile on the ground is ok Wild birdnuts -cheap for a large packet Mealworms-soaked in warm water for 15 minutes then drained.(the robins and blackbirds go for these) Cooked rice,pasta,potatoes (lots of starch here) Crumbled or grated cheese-Robins and wrens love this. Biscuit crumbs Breakfast cereals(softened)
Fat - fat balls,bacon rind, fat trimmed from chops and suet cut up.
**If you get fat balls please get a hanging fatball feeder(£1.20) rather than use the green fine plastic mesh bags they sell them in - birds can get their feet caught in them as they hang on, resulting in injury and sometimes fractures. I think they should be sold with that warning on them.
Fruit - soaked raison & sultanas, softened cut up apples/pears
You may just help some birds, that would otherwise perish, get through this -Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
jgs001
|
|
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2009, 08:31:41 am » |
|
Nice post John. We've got a variety of foods out there. The water is something I hadn't thought of, although we have a small pond nearby that has running water and isn't frozen over...
|
John Canon 450d, EF-S 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS, Raynox DCR250 HQE5 + C80ED & Vista 80s. NexStar Skymax 102 SLT. *** My Astro Blog ***
|
|
|
|
|