Winter feasting

G2N sites provide a natural larder of berries, fruit, seeds, nuts – just think of the Hawthorn bushes at Totland Meadow or the fruit trees at Sandown Wetlands Orchard.  But everyone can help by feeding the birds which come into gardens, plus you then have the added bonus of being able to observe them at close quarters.

Put out high-energy food such as fat balls, pastry, cheese, nuts and seeds, fruit (apples, pears, sultanas).  Don’t forget to keep the food topped up daily though, as once birds start to associate a garden with food they’ll waste needless energy flying there if on arrival the table is bare!  Different species have different requirements in terms of how the food is ‘served up’ – so mix and match with hanging feeders, bird tables, food like cheese or pastry wedged into cracks in walls, or scattered on the ground. You might even put out any left over dog or cat food!  It’s a good idea too to ensure they are able to access unfrozen drinking water even if it’s just some warm water in an upturned bin-lid.

Fieldfare by Wikimedia user MPF