Tips for winter bird feeding

By LizMcGonigal on November 21, 2017

Fill your garden with wildlife this winter!

One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to attract wildlife into the garden is to feed the birds.  Really good way to have fun with the kids and get them to engage with nature and understand the trials our feathered friends experience during the harsh frosts.  Apart from that there is nothing nicer than looking out on a winter garden to see birds fluttering around the feeder, really raises the garden spirits across the winter months.

Here are our top tips to help you when you welcome the birds into your garden this winter.

1. Be consistent, teasing isn’t fair!

It takes time for birds to search and find a new food source.  Once found they develop a reliance on it following regular visits.  So if you make a decision to feed the birds – don’t stop.  If you wish to stop wait until alternative food is available in spring but of course you don’t have to stop.  The joy can continue year round. The birds will get used to you and will quite happily eat away while you potter around the garden.

2. Place your feeders where you can see them

My in-laws have a great window looking out over their garden from the kitchen.  Its fantastic to wash up or have the cup of tea and chats while a bevvy of birds flutter around the feeder.

It also means you and your kids can identify each new bird family and keep a log across the year.

“While winter is the most important time to provide food for birds, it is not a problem to feed them throughout the rest of the year too, if you wish.  If you do, make sure that you never leave out whole nuts, as baby birds often choke on these: always use a fine wire mesh feeder that has been designed to allow birds to feed on peanuts safely.” – Birdwatch Ireland

 

To attract different bird types make sure you give them different food from seed mix or peanuts to meal worms, fat balls, even kitchen scraps – its not just the four legged friends who devour the left overs! NOTE avoid high salt content food.

4. Water is as important as food

Water can be difficult to find in the winter. Ensuring your garden has fresh water will mean they don’t have to try and find it elsewhere which also means they save energy.

5. Not too much and just enough

The birds tend not to clean up after themselves!  Its therefore best to avoid leaving to much food so they don’t drop the residual waste which might attract rats and other unwanted guests.and online shop.

6. Have fun!

Most of all enjoy the feathered visitors, chart their visits, photograph their stay, identify the types and open your garden to the delights of winter wildlife!

 

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