to think that people are unaware how desperate things are for birds?

[PhaseolusLunatus]

The RSPB are saying that food and water we provide can be the difference between life and death for garden birds at the moment.

Advice here about what you may already have in the house that could help.

They also need water to drink, and, just as importantly, bathe and perform 'feather maintenance.'

There is also a thread about this in chat, but I don't imagine anyone minds a bit more bumping of this topic.

Oh no.

I put some bread out for them earlier and the dog went out and ate it.

Is bread ok for them though? What can I feed them that I have in the house?

butter the bread!!

Oops just read the guidance you posted, sorry!

I am!

I nearly drowned myself checking on some swans at lunch time. They were just big feathery mounds on a frozen pond and they didn't move at all when I approached them. I got right down to the waters edge and clapped - nothing. Threw a snowball near them - nothing. Was beginning to panic when a seagull landed and one of them moved.

I threw some bread out for them today, but unfortunately it was a bit hard and I managed to get a blackbird square between the eyes! It was a beautiful shot! I mean, it was very sad. Still, I think he did manage to get a bit in his beak first.

I don't normally feed the birds but have been since before Christmas. We've had snow cover since then, so the birds really have no way of feeding if we don't put stuff out for them

I've been putting out the mixed bird seed you can buy in bags, plus any bread we have left over. I think raisins and dried fruit are OK too.

One of the residents at work has been worried about this.
She isn't allowed to put out ordinary food for them, so got her daughter to bring in a big bag of birdseed, and as she's immobile, I put it out for them each morning along with some water which I replace before I leave for the day.

I rarely see birds land in my garden, too scared of my cat and the squirrels I'd guess.

We have lots of berries growing on bushes in our garden that are v popular with birds. I don't put anything out for them as our garden is regularly visited by a couple of cats and I know the birds are safe in the berry bushes.

DD and I braved the ice and went down to the river to feed the ducks. We were practically ambushed by an army of organised quackers. It was quite scary when one of the swans got out the water and advanced on us. I definitely didn't take enough bread for the amount of hungry birds there were.

I don't think there are many birds brave enough to try our garden, the cat is quite...erm...playful. Although she's not keen on the snow at the moment so maybe they'd be OK. Will put some out.

Sorry if the link above isn't very clear - it's to the RSPB website:

Household Scraps

and

More General Feeding Advice

thanks for that link. tbh, I hadn't given any thought to the birds. Will definitely put food and water out for them now.

i am more worried about the homeless, but rather than rant at you should donate to shelter eh?

I have been feeding them since christmas.

(I'm planning on a nice big juicy blackbird for Easter...)

all together now

I've been feeding them a seed mix but read something yesterday about how important fat is at this time of year. Had some suet in the fridge so put out a handful. I've never seen food disappear so quickly! And suddenly the robins are congregating on our fence LOL.

Sultanas went down well, too. I love watching them. Even love watching the squirrel that loves squeezing himself under the roof of our bird table - despite the fact I should be cross at him for nicking all the seeds.

I'm with you, porcamiseria, but a few scraps for the birds as well as a donation to shelter won't hurt eh?

Oh MollyRoger, that's brought a tear to my eye...

AGREE feel mean now, the birds shall be fed

i have just emnailed this to my company! off to shelter.com now....

Happy little birds!

Hah, I knew I was justified in shaking out the sheet from underneath the high-chair onto the lawn (and not just being lazy like my Mum said). DS's diet is almost identical to what the RSPB recommend!

on a serious note, we have been putting out chopped apple, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, bacon fat for weeks since the snow came. We have gone from no birds ever coming in our back garden (too many cats!) to dozens (the cats haven't ventured out much since the snow)
I have now been out and bought a proper tree bird feeder and some wild bird mix.

Water is important as it freezes up so quxikly at the moment

Yes MollyRoger, the RSPB suggests putting some twigs or a ball in the water provided for birds; apparently the wind moves these and it freezes less easily.

I've spent a small fortune on mealworms, fat balls and other feed this week. They do those mealworms. I'm also putting out fresh water every morning so the birds of South Wales will survive.
I do love to watch them though. It is such a middle age relaxing thing to do