One of the most satisfying things you can do in winter is to help feed hungry birds and other wildlife. By providing food and fresh water not only do you help them survive periods of harsh weather and scarce resources, but as a bonus you get to see more of them, and probably a wider variety of species than you would normally spot. It's a totally win:win situation.
Different species of birds have different feeding requirements. Some prefer feeding on the ground, some like a raise platform like a bird table and some are well-adapted to the challenges of feeding whilst hanging from a bird feeder. If you can provide a variety of food and places from which they can access it, so much the better. But if your situation means you can only hang a feeder full of peanuts or scatter seed on the lawn, it will still provide a much needed source of food for someone! Try to ensure they are as safe from predators as possible - don't put the food too near cover which could conceal a stalking cat for example. And don't forget to provide accessible, clean water too. On cold, dry days when their usual water supply has dried up or frozen, the water you put out can literally save lives.
Winter Blessings and Beauties: Day 32
Feed the Birds
Put out fresh water daily in a wide, shallow container which can easily be accessed. On cold days, break the ice on it, or fill it with warm water.
Get into the habit of putting out food for birds. Try to be regular and consistent with what you offer; if birds have become reliant on your generosity, suddenly stopping the supply can be a real hardship for them.
There are a wide variety of feeders available, so you should be able to find something that suits your situation. You can even find ones that adhere to a window, making it easy for you to watch the birds from within your home.
Make use of a pair of binoculars and a good bird-spotting guide to learn about the birds that visit. You may be surprised how many species you can see!
For more information on attracting birds (and other wildlife) to your garden and feeding them during winter, check out these links:
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