insideKENT Magazine Issue 25 - April 2014 | Page 134

OUTDOORLIVING
for the birds (cont.)
Milk and dairy
Never give milk to any bird. A bird's gut is not
designed to digest milk and it can result in serious
stomach upsets, or even death. Birds can,
however, digest fermented dairy products such
as cheese.
Rice and cereals
Cooked rice, brown or white (without salt added)
is beneficial and readily accepted by all species
during severe winter weather. Uncooked rice may
be eaten by birds such as pigeons, doves and
pheasants, but is less likely to attract other
species.
Porridge oats must never be cooked, since this
makes them glutinous, meaning they could
harden around a bird's beak. Uncooked porridge
oats are readily taken by a number of bird species
and any breakfast cereal is acceptable bird food,
although you should only put out small quantities
at any one time.
Mouldy and stale food
Many moulds are harmless, but as some can
cause respiratory infections in birds, it's best to
be cautious and avoid mouldy food entirely.

How to feed birds
From bird tables and hanging feeders, to devices
you can make yourself, there are many ways to
feed the birds in your garden.
Bird tables
Bird tables are suitable for many species and
most foods. A simple tray with or without a roof

is perfectly adequate, while a raised rim is
necessary in order to retain the food. A gap at
each corner will also allow rainwater to drain
away and droppings and uneaten food to be
cleared.
Feeders
Nut feeders are made of steel mesh, and are the
only safe method of offering nuts to wild birds.
The mesh size needs to be large enough to
prevent beak damage, yet small enough to
prevent large pieces of nut from being removed
– about 6 mm is a good compromise.
Seed feeders are tubular transparent containers
with holes, through which birds are able to access
the seed. These are designed for sunflower seeds
and mixes labelled feeder seed, while nyjer seeds
are smaller and require a special type of seed
feeder.
Homemade devices
Half-coconuts and tit bells filled with fat or bird
cake can be hung from your bird table, a tree or
bracket. They will attract greenfinches, house
sparrows and tits.
Other ideas
Fill the holes and cracks of a post or suspended
log with fatty foods, such as suet for agile birds.
Meanwhile, for thrushes and dunnocks that prefer
to feed on the ground, scatter food on the lawn
or use a ground feeding tray or hopper.
If you put food such as apples and bread on
the ground, space it out in different places in the
garden. This will reduce competition between
birds so that more birds can feed at any
one time.

When to feed wild birds
Although feeding wild bird in winter is most
beneficial, food shortages can occur at any time
of the year. By feeding the birds in your garden
throughout the calendar year, you'll give them a
better chance of survival full stop.
Autumn and winter
Throughout autumn and winter, put out food and
water on a regular basis for the birds in your
garden. In severe weather, feed them twice daily
if you can. Birds require high-energy (high-fat)
foods during the cold winter weather to maintain
their fat reserves and survive the frosty nights.
Always adjust the quantity dependent on demand,
and never allow uneaten foods to accumulate
around the feeders. Once you establish a feeding
routine, try to stick to it as the birds will become
used to it and time their visits to your garden
accordingly.
Spring and summer
Only feed selected foods at this time of year.
Good hygiene is vital in this process, or feeding
may do more harm than good.
During the summer months, birds require high
protein foods, especially while they are moulting.
Black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked
sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese,
mealworms, waxworms, mixes for insectivorous
birds, good seed mixtures, RSPB food bars and
summer seed mixtures are all good foods to
provide. Soft apples and pears cut in half, bananas
and grapes also work well.

© Chris Gomersa