What festive food scraps can you give to birds this Christmas?
With winter on the horizon and snowfall predictions confirmed, it's important to consider how the freezing temperatures could affect our garden birds.
Many birds struggle to survive over the colder months, with less daylight for them to search for food and a lack of natural sources. Robins are particularly vulnerable, as they rely on daily feeding to replenish the energy that they lose during the cold winter nights.
Because of this, wildlife expert Richard Green, from Kennedy Wild Bird Food, is sharing how Brits can help robins and other garden birds simply by putting their Christmas dinner leftovers to good use.
"To help robins and other winter birds, it's important to feed them the right kind of food," says Robin. "High-protein options like mealworms are particularly beneficial for robins, as they are insectivores, while fatty foods, such as suet, can also provide much-needed energy during cold spells."
Our Christmas leftovers can also support robins during winter. "Meat scraps such as small pieces of turkey or chicken can provide the protein they need to stay strong," says Richard. While, "milder foods like cake or biscuit crumbs are a good option, as they are easy for robins to eat and provide extra calories during cold spells."
Which leftovers to avoid
As you might expect, some leftovers should be avoided. "Foods like fatty or salted meats, gravy, and anything sugary or chocolate-based are harmful to birds," adds Richard. "In addition to this, "too much salt can cause dehydration, and sugar can disrupt their natural diet."
Ensure what you're feeding them isn't too rich or processed. Plus, double-check that the food doesn't contain any harmful spices or sauces, too.
It's also important to feed them any leftovers in moderation. If you're unsure about anything, it might be safer to stick to simple, natural foods, like mealworms or suet pellets.
How to offer Christmas leftovers safely
"One of the best ways to present leftovers to robins is by placing them on a small tray near shrubs or trees, where robins naturally forage."
You'll also want to stop them from wasting any unnecessary energy by having to break down bigger pieces and chunks by offering them small pieces. You can do this by offering small portions of leftover food.
Providing the right environment
Providing birds with a safe and warm space is just as vital as extra food at this time of year. "Robins often use nest boxes as roosting sites during the winter, so putting up a suitable nest box can provide them with a safe haven."
Keeping parts of your garden wild or a little untidy can also come in handy, giving a whole range of local wildlife places to shelter while simultaneously attracting insects. And these insects can give robins the much-needed food they need all winter long.
Also, don’t forget water, which is just as important during the winter months.
Keeping a bird bath, table, or designated container filled up with clean fresh water can be a lifeline for robins. Remember to keep an eye on it so it doesn't freeze when the temperatures really start to dip.
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