Preparing for Winter V

babyblooz

We've already noticed a bit of a feeding frenzy going on around our feeding station in the garden. Lots of goldfinches going crazy around the niger seed and lots of other general garden birds feeding from the mixed seed feeders.

We bought a huge sack of seed earlier in the summer while it was on offer and we also stocked up on the fat balls although we haven't put those out as yet. Maybe we should so they can lay down some winter insulation. We stocked up because during the last really bad winter we couldn't get bird seed anywhere for love nor money!

We've got some as yet unused nest boxes with some straw and stuff inside so were hoping they might take shelter in there if the white stuff hits hard.

We so look forward to seeing the robins in the garden on a snowy day.

parsniphead

That's really interesting Kittie.

I have worked with a lot of people who work in woods for a few years. It's so interesting what they know just from nature.

I can't keep birdseed in. They are eating it way too quickly. I need a lorryload.

[Deleted User]

babyblooz wrote: »

We bought a huge sack of seed earlier in the summer while it was on offer and we also stocked up on the fat balls although we haven't put those out as yet. Maybe we should so they can lay down some winter insulation. We stocked up because during the last really bad winter we couldn't get bird seed anywhere for love nor money! .

oh crikey, I think I will buy more seed and don`t have any fat balls. I need to buy a fat ball feeder because the nets are dangerous. 12.5 kg of seed seems to cost a lot less on costco online, I think I will take a trip to costco tomorrow and get more seed as they have a choice of big bags and I remember seeing fat balls. Maybe i`ll go later on, I need a break anyway

I used to have a very successful feeder in our last property, this feeder is new and has a roof plus I screwed all sorts of hangers on it. I don`t get any birds yet but it is early days as there are lots of berry bearing hedges and apple trees. I also have a ground feeder, covered by a pigeon proof cage. When they are hungry, then the birds will come

babyblooz

We bought our sack of bird seed from Quality Save, but they did have it in Poundstretchez as well although it was a pound dearer. We have decanted it into empty pop bottles so it can be easily poured out without making a mess. We had some earlier and just kept it in the sack and it sort of went soggy and stuck together so we decided to store it in the empty two litre pop bottles. This seems to be working well and its a lot easier than struggling with a big heavy sack.

We have a fat ball feeder and the blackbirds and other ground feeders just sit underneath and catch all the crumbs that drop down onto the floor. i have some of the half coconut shells that i bring in and refill from the waste fat that drains from our burgers and chops. i pour it into a little pot on the counter and then spoon it into the empty shells. Waste not want not lol!

pollys

Just spent another hour or so in the garden cutting down. There's still some to do. We will take the clippings to the recycling depot tomorrow. We have also covered up the wooden bench. There is still a good couple of hours work to do outside, Im hoping to get it finished by the end of half term - that'll be in two weeks!

Polly

babyblooz

I think sorting and tidying outside should be our next job, before it gets too cold to be working outside. We need to clear out the pots from around the garden and keep things to the outside edges. If the snow comes deep then there's no way of what you're walking into.

[Deleted User]

costco today, seed was £6.19 for 12.5 kg and fat and berry balls £11.79 for 120. Also bought lovely vegan food to freeze and a really good piece of beef for roasting. Just need salads and bakers and a hm boule and I am pretty well done for my family gathering the week before christmas. Got waitrose booked the day before, so will have all the extras if I get tempted but riverford or abel and cole before then

In 2010, I had waitrose booked with our full christmas day dinner but it snowed heavily and he wasn`t going to risk coming down the steep hill to the village. Belt and braces this year, I will survive

re the garden sorting, that is one of my most hated job if I leave it too long, it is all done now, just got to plant shallots and garlic next week and all that is left is picking, kale, swede, sprouts, chard, the last of the raspberries

Rummer

Every Autumn there are mutterings that it will be the worst winter ever and often things are fine. However I plan each year as if there is going to be dreadful weather and that way hopefully our lives are a little more comfortable should the predictions be correct.

The main things for us are having well stocked food and medicine cupboards with water incase the pipes freeze again, not to mention a ludicrous number of tea lights :rotfl:. Other wee things like having grit in and a car kit incase of emergencies. Although we are surrounded by shops I just like knowing that if we had to we could stay in the house for a while and be fine.

I still have the garden to face as it needs done before the weather really turns. There were grand plans for getting it done this weekend but as always life got in the way

bossymoo

I had 24hrs without running water from Thursday night- we had bottled water in and managed without trauma although it really was a relief to get it fixed.

I'm going to put a little more thought in this week to sorting out what is where (torches etc) and what else I need, should anything more extended happen...

Jo4

Our electric was off again last week, dread to think what it is going to be like when there is storms.

Must get round to working out what we need to get ready for winter.