Please DON'T STOP FEEDING THE BIRDS in your garden.

[Zak33]

Much better to leave them all the way through the year and let them fend for themselves. They've done it for centuries without issue - they're more than capable of foraging for themselves. Worst case scenario is that they move to someone else's garden.

if we had plenty I'd agree... but Sparrows are literally dying every year.. and the population is low... it's worth feeding them Gav.. but IF you're attracting rats, then yes, you should stop immediately.

Maybe get a new bird feeder that's not gonna leave food everywhere one day?

[GoNz0]

you can thank my 1 year old for feeding the birds today, she got her hands on one of the wifes breakfast bars
thats made of nuts and honey, by the time she had finished bashing the packet about it was bird food

[KidChameleon]

if we had plenty I'd agree... but Sparrows are literally dying every year.. and the population is low... it's worth feeding them Gav.. but IF you're attracting rats, then yes, you should stop immediately.

Maybe get a new bird feeder that's not gonna leave food everywhere one day?

Every time I go to New Zealand I'm always amazed by the number of Sparrows. They're almost the only birds you see in town centres, and there are hundreds of them. I can't remember the last time I saw one here, although I'm sure it was only one or two at the time.

[MadduckUK]

but Sparrows are literally dying every year..

[this_is_gav]

We've zillions of sparrows up here. A couple of robins, a few blue tits and blackbirds and I think I saw a chaffinch earlier, but you can almost guarantee that when you see birds in the garden, the overwhelming majority, if not all, are sparrows.

[Zadock]

if we had plenty I'd agree... but Sparrows are literally dying every year.. and the population is low... it's worth feeding them Gav.. but IF you're attracting rats, then yes, you should stop immediately.

Maybe get a new bird feeder that's not gonna leave food everywhere one day?

If you are attracting rats just get hanging bags, hang them up places where the rats won't get them. My folks have a nice bird feeder that is just a long metal pole with various hooks and platforms about 1m off the ground. Works rather well!

Fat balls are good to put out for birds, lots of energy! also meat scraps and rhind from bacon are good too. But as I said above just be careful about where you put this kind of food or you can attract vermin.

Wilkinsons sell bird seed very cheap and fat balls and all sorts of other stuff so it doesn't have to be expensive. Also your not going to get just sparrows this time of year, I was at my folks at the weekend and they get blue tits, pied wag tails, coal tits, robins etc.

Little bit of information here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/features/diningout.aspx
Also check your local wildlife trust website.

RSPB will love you Zak

[g8ina]

Your local Wilkinson store stocks cheap round white plastic kiddies trays - drill a hole in centre and a couple round edge for drainage - keeps seeds from dropping on the floor. I think they were three for a quid or something silly.

Cheap white cheese is always welcomed, but taste it b4 you put it out, make sure its not too salty. This has attracted woodpeckers, blackbirds, blackcaps, all types of tits, a few finches too.

On water feeders, try adding a large rock inthe middle of the bowl so the birds have something to stand on.

shop bought fat balls aren't always brilliant so make your own. I keep all the fat of meat roasts in the fridge, then melt em down and add some suet, mixed nuts, raisins, and a small pinch of chilli powder. In fact a spot of chilli powder mixed in with seeds isnt a bad idea either, it will deter those rats and the squirrels, and has no recorded ill effects on any birds (source, http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details....d=tcm:9-202877)

[peterb]

A veritable flock of blue titsw, sparrows and the ofdd nut hatch round the feeders in the garden. Got them all lined up in my sights

And if any of the photos come out well, I'll try and post them here!

[kalniel]

Bananas good, turkey fat bad.

[Zak33]

I keep all the fat of meat roasts in the fridge, then melt em down and add some suet, mixed nuts, raisins, and a small pinch of chilli powder. In fact a spot of chilli powder mixed in with seeds isnt a bad idea either, it will deter those rats and the squirrels, and has no recorded ill effects on any birds (source, http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details....d=tcm:9-202877)

chilli bird balls.....

/dreamy......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW07a...eature=related

[Cozwin]

If anyone has a long haired dog also, clump the hair together when you brush it and place in bushes etc. Our local robins loved it, bet it makes a great nest warm and such.

[Macman]

Proceeded to feed the birds:

The Water:



Which has been taken out and re-filled, will do the same tomorrow.

The Food:



Place two food balls in small container and taken the netting off.

Garden:



Placed on the table at the far right.

Sort of feel good, doing my bit to help the lil ones. As this is our harshest winters in god knows how long, can imagine how hard it is for them.

Rock on lil birds!