Feeding the Birds

valk_scot

BilberryCharlotte wrote: »

Yes valk, I know I am just being a wuss :-)

Being vegans we don`t eat chicken. I do cook it for the dogs though so they could spare a little chicken skin for the birds if things were desperate. It would just be a last resort measure for me.

JUst feed them what you feel comfortable with then, lol. I'm sure the birds would appreciate most vegan foods too!

I get a lot of pleasure watching the birds out the window. And so do my cats! My cats are house cats (we're on a very busy main road) and usually spend an hour or so each morning on my bedroom window ledge watching the birds feeding. Our last cats were not house cats...which is why they're both dead now, given that road.....and both keen hunters and we didn't have any birds coming to the garden in these days, amazingly. So it's nice to see them now.

conradmum

Thanks to all who replied. It's actually a fieldfare, as I found out from the rspb identifier link posted, so many thanks for that. :beer:

First time I've ever seen one! It even says on the website that they come into gardens in severe winters when there's a lot of snow on the ground.

floyd

If there is one Fieldfare there are probably more as they flock with Redwings looking for food. I've just been out and put some apples, dried fruits and mealworms out and the lookout Fieldfare came over for a bit of a scout around to see what was about then went back to the other 20 or so waiting in the trees. Hopefully they will come down for a feed.

Murrell

Do you know if you can feed the birds brazil nuts as I haven't found any info on this. OK for squirrels i've found, so will put out for them, just worried that the birds might then try them and choke?

thanks in advance
Sandra

Aril

We have been putting water out for them but they're preferring to hoover up the snow here. It's the ground feeding ones that are really suffering as they can't get the food out of the feeders. We've crushed up a couple of fat balls and laid them out on a small table [my DH made a bird feeding station last weekend from scrap wood and spare shelf brackets] which he's made to go on one of the station's arms. The blackbirds have been diving on and off it today with great enthusiasm.
Aril

Gigervamp

I discovered that the robins like cat crunchies.

I'd put a bowl out for the stray cat that's adopted us and saw the robins helping themselves!

I've been putting out granola that I'd made for my son, but he didn't like it. The birds like it, but they keep leaving the pumpkin seeds that are in it.

mrsr

I'm not having much luck .I put out one of the feeders that stick to the window it's on the conservatory which we arnt using at the mo ,so no movement as i thought to put them off this was about three weeks ago .My garden is very small so i put seed fatball and worms on the window ledge of shed still no luck they hav'nt found it .Today i bought some lard and made a mixture from the tips on here i have put it on top of the fence posts round the garden nothing has happened yet .Theres loads of birds flying around either there not hungry or they can't find what i have put out .Hopefully its because there getting plenty else where poor things

valk_scot

Gigervamp wrote: »

I discovered that the robins like cat crunchies.

I'd put a bowl out for the stray cat that's adopted us and saw the robins helping themselves!

I've been putting out granola that I'd made for my son, but he didn't like it. The birds like it, but they keep leaving the pumpkin seeds that are in it.

Cat crunchies sound a great idea to me as they'll have protein and fat in them. I've got a half box of some odd brand here that the cats are mumping about eating so I'll donate them to the birdies instead.

Kentishmaid_2

Be careful......... I put some seeds, stale cake and suet out on the birdtable and realized that something was upsetting the birds, looked at the table and there was the ferral yard cat enjoying the cake sitting on the table!!!
I felt sorry for the cat and have been feeding it away from the house but obviously not enough!
Kentishmaid

geri1965_2

I too have been worried about the birds in this weather. I have a cat (although she doesn't go out much) and next door have two, so I don't want to put stuff down in the garden. Would it be OK if I put it on the road (our road is quiet) or should I go over to the park and put it down there?