Today is Feed the Birds Day in the UK, and according to the RSPB almost two-thirds of people feed the birds in their garden, with more than a third putting out seeds and nuts during the winter.
Garden favourites such as robins, blackbirds, tits and finches have come to rely on feeders and tables for fast and easy food. Birds use most of their energy in the winter just surviving the cold nights.
Birds feast on natural foods such as berries, fallen fruits and insects during autumn. Supplies of these are not limitless however. Birds are increasingly reliant on us to provide food to get them through the cold winter nights. Richard Bashford, RSPB
I feed the birds in my garden all year round – with nuts, seeds and kitchen scraps – but a few years ago I encountered a pest that stole anything and everything I put out for the birds.
Grey squirrels
Grey squirrels are reaching epidemic proportions in many parts of the UK and pose a real threat to garden birds in many urban and suburban areas. Apart from competing directly for food, they also eat birds eggs and can destroy their nests.
Within a week or two of moving here, I realised I needed more than a standard birdfeeder if I was to continue feeding the birds in my garden.
Squirrel-proof
It was time to get squirrel-proof! After trying a couple of others which didn’t work (squirrels are very resourceful creatures!) I got this squirrel-proof feeder from Haiths, which did the trick.
It took a while before the squirrels gave up and resigned themselves to the fact that they weren’t going to get the nuts – but we had great fun watching them try (click photos to see full size).
Of course, as much as I dislike these bushy-tailed rats, I wouldn’t deny them food and always scatter a handful of nuts around the garden for them when I refill the birdfeeder. And the birds get the rest to themselves.
IMPORTANT!
Please take care when feeding the birds in your garden. Peanuts can be high in a natural toxin, which can kill birds, so always buy from a reputable dealer who will guarantee bird feed free from aflatoxin. The RSPB has more helpful advice about feeding garden birds.
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Twitter: @myzerowaste
Oh very cute! We have squirrel antics over here too and they are very sweet. The birds don’t seem to mind; they just live in harmony with one another :)
Great photos!
Hehehe! Brill article. The ‘frustrated squirrel’ pics are v funny :) We feed the birds in our garden too but don’t have a problem with squirrels. The magpies tend to take more than their share though!
Thanks for the comments! Glad the photos are making you smile ;-)
A timely piece, thanks Paul. I’m a member of the RSPB and it’s crucial that we continue to feed our garden birds all year round but especially in the winter.
Garden birds really are up against it, with a decrease in natural habitat (as people flag over their gardens and rip out foliage to plant ‘nice’ flower beds) together with a rise in the domestic cat population and the threat from other species like squirrels, as you point out in your article.
People who reads this PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN by feeding the birds in your garden and encouraging a more natural habitat for them.
Thanks!
I didn’t know some peanuts can be dangerous for birds. I know not to give them salted peanuts, obviously, but I hadn’t heard about this ‘aflatoxin’. I usually get them from my local pet shop but I’ll get them from a more reputable dealer like Haiths from now on, as you suggested. Thanks for the tip.
PS The squirrel photos made me smile too!
You’re welcome, Phyllis. Thanks for the comment ;-)