General Chat

Please think of them during this cold spell

If you are not sure what they can have:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/index.aspx

Yesterday I had 2 Nut Hatches, Robins, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Black Birds, Sparrows, Starlings & a couple of Rooks, feeding from my picnic table

Don't forget some fresh water too. Instead of the stone birdbath which is totally frozen, I am using a large plastic plantpot saucer, which I can knock out the overnight ice and replace with fresh water.

Birds now feeding on some mixed seed, niger seed, sunflower hearts, peanuts, sultanas and some leftovers from last night's dinner.

Elisabeth

i always feed the birds

they are now so fat
they cant get off the ground

OH usually ,these last few mornings since we have been snowed up, throws some bread scraps onto the patio table for the birds. This morning, he has had to go out and pay a bill. But the birds, who by now have got used to this habit, have been gathering, it is as if they know. So, risking life and limb, I have been out and done it. They are now gathering enmass for a mammoth feed. Just bread helps, if you have not got the proper wild food feeders.
Just give it a go, every little helps
Julia in Derbyshire

There is a long running bird thread on gen if you want tips on what to feed them title 'do the birds know'

The plethora of birds now on my table, since I threw out the bread, is unbelievable. I was watching them as I washed the pots.
Julia in Derbyshire

Thankyou Ann

A Pheasant is strutting up the garden!

It helps to soak the bread first if there is no water around, if they eat dry bread they will want water. Try mixing in sweet biscuit crumbs, chopped dry fruit, chopped apple/banana

WE ALWAYS MAKE BREAD TREES
IN THE COUNTRY SIDE WITH THE CHILDREN

THEY CHILDREN THINK ITS WONDERFUL
AND I SAVE ALL MY OLD BREAKFAST CEREALS

Gentle nudge please

Thank you
xx

Have hung more fatballs and sprinkled Meel worms under the hedge and put more food in the food hanger.It is sooooooo difficult with water as if freezes so quickly.

Soooo glad someone has mentioned this!! Love the response that their birds are so fat they can't get off the ground. Made me chuckle!!
Kris

A fox had visited my garden overnight, clearing the leftovers, so the birds were queing up this morning, did not even wait until I came inside before swooping down to see what was on offer.

Ive got some toast on for them now lol

I've noticed what looks like fat birds but I was sure it's because the fluff up their feathers. If you watch them you will see.
I wont put jam on their toast....jst incase they are fat lol

As you say Marion, it is most likely that those birds that look fat have plumped out their feathers for warmth.

Wild birds are hard to overfeed, once their crop is full they will head for a sheltered place. Otherwise, in the Autumn when seed is plentifull, most would be too heavy to fly.

Poor wee things ;((

Don't feed too much dry bread though, seeds are best and fat balls, meal worms for Robins, blackbirds will eat scraps and like dried fruit and cheese as well.

I have fed my crowd this morning, and replaced the ice with some fresh water. Within an hour the water was frozen solid again, so I have now placed the large dish of fresh water on a block of polystyrene to see if it will stay liquid a little longer.

The blackbirds are being so argumentative - fighting over the smallest scrap when there is lots for all.