Feed the peckish Get birds flocking in
KEEPING your feathered friends well fed during the winter can be the difference between life and death.
But be aware that when you try to lure birds to your garden you’ll likely get hungry grey squirrels too.
They quickly learn how to get into “inaccessible” feeders, often chewing or clawing through wood and plastic, no matter how devilish the design.
The RSPB suggests mixing chilli powder into feed. Mammals are sensitive to the heat but birds are not.
Protect yourself with gloves and a mask to avoid breathing in the dust.
Having dealt with the squirrels, the important thing is keeping birds safe.
All birds love peanuts – especially jays, tits, finches, nuthatches and woodpeckers. But they can be high in a natural toxin called aflatoxin, which can kill birds.
So it’s important to buy from a reputable outlet to be sure they are safe. Avoid salted or roasted nuts, which have a bad effect on wild birds’ digestive systems. Also, don’t hang them in net bags . Go for feeders made of metal mesh, ensuring the holes are at least 6mm wide to prevent beak damage and torn legs and feet.
Choke
Finally avoid putting whole peanuts on the bird table as they can cause some birds to choke and die. And make sure tables and feeders are away from shrubs where cats may lurk.
Try to cater too for birds such as thrushes and dunnocks, which prefer to feed on the ground – hunting among leaves for insects and grubs.
They’re also fond of apples, so when severe winter weather comes, chop some up and scatter them on the lawn.
Hanging out half coconuts filled with suet will attract greenfinches, house sparrows and tits in lean times.
Or you could make decorative bird cakes, mixing good quality birdseed, raisins and grated cheese with half their weight in melted lard.
When solid, cut them into stars and hang with ribbons on trees and shrubs.
They will also attract robins – but to keep their interest give occasional mealworms on a platform perch. The best way to see a robin is to dig. They will turn up fast to watch for worms.