Help our feathered friends on Feed the Birds Day

Oct 16 2009 by Jo Ind, Birmingham Post

Jo Ind explains why we should look after our feathered friends ahead of Feed the Birds Day

Give nature a helping hand

The last winter was one of the harshest we have had for many years. That meant it was particularly important that we took the trouble to feed the birds.

Though some might think birds have surely evolved to survive a winter, the RSPB claims they still need our help.

“It’s very important that people help out,” says Louise Pedersen, from the Birmingham office of the RSPB. “We can’t really predict what kind of a winter we are going to have, but whatever it is like, we need to feed the birds.

“Birds like House Sparrows and Song Thrushes are declining. They need to be fit for the next breeding season, which is from February. Any additional food will help them be ready for that.”

Saturday, October 24, is the RSPB’s Feed the Birds Day. There are a variety of events being held by the charity and by the city council over the autumn.

These include:

l Making a bird feeder at Edgbaston Reservoir, Reservoir Road, Ladywood on Sunday, October 18, 1pm-2.30pm. You also learn to identify some of the birds that visit your parks and gardens. Call 0121 454 1908.

l At the Sandwell Valley nature reserve, Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, there will be the chance for children to make their own freaky feeders, creepy cakes and eerie edible pictures as well as find out what to do with spare pumpkin seeds. Sunday, October 25, 1pm-4pm. Call 0121 357 7395.

l Up in the Lickey Hills Country Park, Warren Lane, Rednal also on Sunday, October 25, you can learn how to make a bird cake. 11am-1pm. Call 0121 447 7106.

l The rangers at Woodgate Valley Country Park Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green will be teaching people how to make a bird feeder on Tuesday, October, 27, 11am-1pm. Call 0121 421 7575.

l On Friday, October 30, there will be the chance to make a feed ball for the birds and squirrels at 2pm at Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Road, Edgbaston. Call 0121 472 7775.

“If you get involved you can hope to see a rapid jump in the number of birds visiting their garden, no matter what size it is,” says Louise. In harsh winters, birds like blackbirds, song thrushes, and even exotic waxwings – seasonal visitors from Scandinavia – come closer to our gardens in a search for food.

As well as keeping feeders and bird tables topped up with calorie-rich foods, autumn is a great time to put in plants that are good for wildlife.

Late autumn is ideal for planting a berry bearing shrub or a fruit tree. Once mature, rowan, holly and apple trees will be a great source of food for birds such as blackbirds, and thrushes, while robins and starlings will feast on the insects that thrive on them.

And if you plan ahead now and introduce insect-attracting plants, you will be helping the birds come springtime.

House sparrows, for instance, rely on a healthy supply of insects to raise their young. Over the last 25 years, house sparrows have declined by over 60 per cent, and it’s thought a shortage of this insect food may be to blame. Planting nectar-rich flowers and shrubs may help house sparrows successfully raise their young.

Do not be fooled into thinking that few bread crumbs will suffice. Just like us, the birds in our gardens have different favourite foods.

Blackbirds, for example, love fruit (especially berries and apples), peanuts and earthworms, and are partial to cheese. They can also be tempted with soaked dried fruits. Put out mealworms for House Sparrows in the breeding season They also love sunflower hearts and seed mixes. Song Thrushes will forage for earthworms and snails, but also enjoy fruit, (particularly raisins, sultanas and currants) and peanut granules. Kitchen scraps and live food are favourites for starlings, but they will also enjoy peanuts, fat blocks and seed mixes.

Blue tits will enjoy fat blocks, sunflower hearts, seed mixes and unsalted bacon. Peanuts, sunflowers hearts and seeds will help attract Chaffinches to your garden. Robins love mealworms, waxworms, peanut granules, sunflower hearts and pinhead oats. They will also feed on small pieces of over-ripe and dried chopped fruits.

Nyjer seeds are certainly one way to Goldfinch hearts. Wrens will enjoy a little bit of suet and grated mild cheese, which will give their energy levels a boost.

As well as simply putting food out, there are other things you can do to help the birds through the winter.

You can make a log pile which will be the ideal place for insects, fungi, mosses and lichens that birds can feed on. Likewise you can create an insect home.

Install nesting boxes for birds such as sparrows, winter hibernation places for hedgehogs, and roosting boxes for bats will certainly help to attract a wide variety of wildlife.

Or you can create a water feature such as a pond or bog garden as much wildlife relies on a regular supply of freshwater.

Richard Bashford, Feed The Birds Day manager, said: “We think that everyone will easily be able to find something they can do to help birds regardless of the outdoor space they have. It doesn’t matter if it’s a large or a small garden, community garden, balcony or allotment, there are options for everyone.”

Chris Packham, RSPB Vice President and BBC Springwatch presenter said: “What I love about feeding birds is you can see the good you are doing. The way the birds will just pile into your garden looking for food tells you how important it is to them.

“It makes me feel good about myself, knowing I could be helping a bird survive the winter and go onto to raise chicks next year. It is a nice feeling. I recommend it.”

n For more information about Feed the Birds Day and for a list of events visit www.rspb.org.uk/feedthebirds