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.

I thought the same when I saw it posted!!

no takers yesterday

BLONDES BUFFET IS OPEN

but no takers today either

they are still sussing me out

boiled kettle, di iced their dining table

and then did fresh water to bathe/drink

bread, porridge oats, grated cheese and STILL no takers

blondes buffet

I have had a robin, 2 blackbirds and lots of pigeons - they are still more interested in the bread on the floor than the grated cheese/oats/raisins etc.

have come to the conclusion the bireds arent hungary

they are sitting in the tree at end of my garden and not one has come down to investigate

Put out oats, sunflower seeds, suet and bowl of water about 20 mins ago and we've already been visited by a pair of robins

On the menu this morning were little cubes of cheese, little cubes of buttered bread and peanuts. The 'scout' blackbird has come for a couple of looks round and then went and got a really fat blackbird from under the hedge.
Lots of gulls but the rest of the birds are sitting in the tree. They usually give it a while to check I'm not coming back out.

I love this thread phaseolus and I feel a fair few of our feathered friends would thank you if they could.

now snowing again, and my buffet is going to go soggy

whats wrong with my food?

Well the bastard rats have been by the bird table

I took the food in overnight, then this morning there are ratty tracks in the snow.

I have put the food back out and dds are on rat watch.

we have had 3 crows so far.

Don't worry Blondes, it can take days before they'll pluck up the courage to try a new spot. Don't give up hope!

Me too Blondes. I even bought some special sunflower seeds yesterday. It's out there on a tray, with fresh water. No takers. Maybe they'd like a vase of flowers and some napkins...

its creepy, the birds are just sitting in tree watching

what am i doing wrong

Daft question but can the birds cope with nuts? I have put some old hazelnuts out and they just pick them up and drop them. SHould I go out and smash them up a bit?

Give them time tough they will wait til you're not looking and snaffle it.

Be patient people! They will come. But they will be nervous at first, it takes time!

Katisha - it's OK putting nuts out at this time of year, but in early spring once the chicks start hatching, nuts shouldn't be put out as they can cause problems for chicks.

But yes, breaking them up a bit will help the birds.

What about dried fruit should I chop that up?
Dont want any birds choking in my garden, thankyou.

SixtyFoot - Blackbirds seem to do okay with things like whole raisins, but the smaller birds would probably appreciate them chopped up a bit. I soak dried fruit for a wee while first just to help reduce that choke-ability!

Are you supposed to soak dried fruit a bit first? or would that wash away some goodness from it?

been over 4.5hrs since i opened blondes buffet and not a peep from anything

they sit on my tree and watch

maybe they dont like my blue water bowl?

Atleast if they have seen it you know that they know it's there. I think they can remember food sources quite well can't they? So if they're hungry they'll remember where you are and come back for lunch. I sympathise a bit - I'm pretty dissapointed that they don't even seem to have noticed my bird feeders.

We have had 2 birds! A robin and a black bird (in colour, no idea of its name).

I am going to order a book for DDs to identify them- any recomendations?
They are 6 and 8, fluent readers but the 8 year old is very visual.

Teddy - I just pour hot water from the kettle onto the fruit and drain it after a few minutes just enough to soften the outside a bit.

mummyofexcitedprincesses, I loved the usborne spotters' guides as a kid. Lovely sense of achievement giving yourself a big tick when you've seen something!

I made a lovley fruit suet 'cake' for mine, not even a peck !!

mutters at ungrateful birds>

not one came to blondes all you can eat FREE buffet