FabSwingers.com forum: Great Tits

By *layfullsam OP Man
over a year ago

Solihull

And Blue Tits and lots of our other feathered friends will soon need a little help if any of you can join me to give them a little helping hand/wing

It doesn't take long and you'll know you've your little bit and if you place the feeder in the right place you'll get a free display from your new found feathered friends.

Appreciate some will say wtf has it got to do with swinging so I'll apologise but if just a few of you help it will be appreciated.

The winter can be a tough time of year for birds. But you can give them a helping hand, whether you have a big garden or a small windowbox. Here are the top 10 bird feeding tips.

Know your birds.

Different species eat different things. Sparrows and finches like seeds; tits like fat; and thrushes and robins like fruit and worms. Starlings will eat just about anything. Make sure you're providing the right menu for your diners - find out what to feed birds.

(Not sure which birds are visiting you? Try the bird identifier on the rspb site

Look out for leftovers.

Some of our own food can be good for birds – for example, fruit cake or mince pies, dried fruit, unsalted nuts, or apples and pears past their best. Try sprinkling grated mild cheese under trees and bushes for more timid birds like wrens and dunnocks.

But choose the right stuff

Birds probably won't eat your unwanted Christmas Day sprouts, and putting out turkey fat is a big no-no - it's so soft it'll stick to birds' feathers and stop them from keeping waterproof and warm. Avoid anything mouldy or salty (too much salt is poisonous to small birds).

Don't poison your pets!

Birds love dried fruit. But if you have a dog, don't put grapes, currants, raisins or sultanas within their reach. Vine fruits can be toxic to dogs (check the RSPCA's advice).

Keep water in bird baths and ponds unfrozen

Birds need to drink and bathe every day - even when it's really cold outside. A pond or bird bath is great, but even an upturned bin lid or plant saucer can give birds the water they need. We've got lots of useful tips on how to keep water from freezing.

Put out the right amount of food

Only put out what will get eaten during the day. This is important if you want to avoid unwanted visitors like rats. It'll also mean that there aren't big piles of mouldy food on your bird table.

Keep it clean!

Dirty bird feeders and bird tables can help spread diseases. Make sure you clean them regularly to keep your visitors healthy and happy. And always wash your hands after feeding the birds!

Location, location location!

Keep you table or feeder somewhere:

quiet - where birds won't be disturbed.

safe and open - to stop cat-ambushes and allow for a quick getaway

sheltered - from harsh cold winds, rain or snow.

Enjoy!

You've got a thriving feeding station and garden full of hungry visitors. It's time to take a moment to watch and enjoy the birds the happy birds feasting on the food you've provided!

Give yourself a pat on the backfor giving nature a home

By feeding the birds in your garden, on your balcony or at your window, you'll help them get through what can be a tough time of year. You're a bird-feeding hero.