Saturday May 19 2012
Gardening Archive
TheVillage Gardening
Feeding feathered friends
Posted on January 20 2009 at 4:45:34 0 comments
Feeding birds in the garden has grown hugely in popularity in recent years, and now more than half the adults in the UK do this regularly, write Nicci and Neil Gow.
Regularity is an important factor as the birds come to expect a ready source of food at a certain location.
In the cold weather, ensuring unfrozen water is available all day is vital – in winter almost as many birds die of dehydration as cold or starvation. Birds also need water to bathe to keep their feathers in good condition.
So why feed the birds in your garden?
* It brings them closer for us to marvel at their antics and colours
* It’s a good way to start teaching kids about wildlife
* Birds will also eat the grubs and aphids attacking your garden
We used to be told we should only feed birds in winter but these days we are advised to do so all year round. However, it is not just about filling hoppers up with seed and peanuts – why not plan for the longer term? Think about the plants in your garden that can provide food.
In addition to the obvious plants like Pyracantha and Cotoneaster that supply berries as a food source for some birds, crab apples, cherries and other fruit will satisfy the hunger of many species. Herbaceous varieties like Aquilegia, Globe artichokes, and teasels will provide a valuable source of seed in autumn for birds like the brightly coloured goldfinch.
Think too about the habitat that you can provide for small creatures and grubs, which blue tits and wagtails will enjoy picking out of the crevices in flaky barked plants like the paper barked maple. Ferns and grasses provide damp dark areas for grubs and spiders, and your lawn provides a wealth of food sources too.
Of course the natural habitat provided by plants will only be seasonal, so supplementary feeding is necessary to keep birds coming to your garden year round. A feeder of Niger seed will attract goldfinches, while meal worms and suet treats will keep insect-loving birds happy. For birds that cannot perform acrobatic antics on a nut ball or seed hopper, try a ground feeding station – great for chaffinches, blackbirds and thrushes, and for keeping the food dry.
A little maintenance of the area where you feed the birds will help keep them happy and healthy. Diseases can build up from uneaten food that goes mouldy. Mice and rats will be attracted overnight if food is left on the ground or on tables, so only put enough food out each day for the birds to finish before they go to roost in the late afternoon.
By following a few simple guidelines we can all play a valuable role in helping birds to overcome natural food shortages, survive severe winter weather and be in good breeding condition in the spring.
Nicci and Neil Gow are owners of Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre and experienced horticulturalists
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