5 ways to help birds during cold weather
Cold weather can be tough, with icy ground, biting winds and bitter frosts – and even the risk of snow. But it's even tougher for small birds living outside, who can lose weight and struggle to survive very cold temperatures.
Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take in your own garden to help feathered friends through cold winter weather.
Here are some expert-approved ways to support small birds near you this winter...
Leave out food
It sounds simple, but can make a huge difference. "Small birds can lose up to 10% of their body weight every night during cold temperatures," birdwatcher David Lindo (aka The Urban Birder) tells Country Living. "They need to feed during the day to regain that weight and get more energy."
But is it necessary to buy special bird food? David recommends high-quality, specialist bird feed or seed mixes if possible.
"Cheaper seed mixes might have lots of cereal in to bulk it up, which can attract pigeons and other less desirable creatures," he explains.
Peanuts are another good option, but steer clear of anything salted which is bad for birds. Generally, seeds are popular with birds with conical bills, such as house sparrows and green finches, whilst tits love peanuts. Ground-loving birds such as robins and blackbirds also adore mealworms.
And if you're worried about attracting squirrels, try sprinkling chilli powder over whatever bird food you choose to deter them – "squirrels detest it but birds don't mind at all."
However, there's one thing David urges you to avoid leaving out: white bread. "It's terrible for birds," he explains. "It has no nutritional value, filling them with nothing, and can negatively affect some birds, making their feathers weaker."
Place food strategically
As well as considering what to feed birds in winter, it's just as important to plan where you leave the food. Mealworms are best served on the ground, where robins and blackbirds prefer to feed. Be careful not to leave food on the ground overnight though, as it can attract rats. Seeds and nuts are best served from a bird feeder or table.
Whatever food you choose, make sure you leave it somewhere open, away from fences, hedges and bushes, so that birds can feed safely while keeping an eye out for predators.
David advises: "Put out feeders where birds can have as much of a 360° vantage point as possible to protect from predators such as cats and sparrow hawks. Sparrow hawks are ambush hunters who fly along hedges, so always avoid putting bird feeders near a hedge."
Provide water
Birds need fresh water throughout the year to drink and bathe in – "it's almost more important than feeding them," explains David. Leaving out a fresh supply can be incredibly helpful in cold weather, when their usual water sources might be frozen.
One option is a bird bath, which you can buy from your local garden centre. Make sure it's on a pedestal, to make it harder for cats to jump up to. Alternatively, David shares an easy way you can make your own without having to buy anything:
"Upturn a dustbin lid and put a few rocks in it to vary the water height – make sure it's not too deep so the birds won't drown. You can keep it on the floor, but elevate it slightly with a few bricks so that it doesn't get as freezing cold as the ground in winter. Anything large will work though – it needs to be bigger than a dish ideally, so it can host several birds at once."
As with feeding, make sure any water is in an open space away from bushes, fences or trees where predators can lurk.
Put out nest boxes
If you really want to go the extra mile to help small birds through cold winter weather, consider putting out a nest box that they can use for shelter.
"Wrens can all congregate in one nest box, huddling together to keep warm and fend off the cold," says David. "Just make sure nest boxes don't face South West, the direction of the prevailing wind, otherwise chicks will freeze, and aren't along a fence line where cats and squirrels might invade."
Rewild your garden
This tip is one worth bearing in mind year round... "if you have a garden and are able to, think about having a small part of it devoted to nature," David recommends. "Leave it wild – even if it's just one square foot, this will seem like a jungle to insects. As plants grow and seed, that in turn will attract birds and promote biodiversity in your garden."
There are plenty of easy ways to rewild your garden, and it requires less chores – win win!
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