insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 21 - November 2016 | Page 93
FEEDING BIRDS
THROUGH THE WINTER
It is surprisingly easy to do something to help
garden wildlife in the lean and cold months of
winter. Even if you carry out just a few of the
following tasks, it can make a difference.
Help birds in winter by placing fat blocks in wire
cages. Balls in plastic nets are not recommended
as birds such as woodpeckers can get their
tongues caught. Create your own fat blocks by
melting suet into moulds such as coconut shells
or logs with holes drilled in. Alternate different
recipes to entice a range of birds include peanut
cakes for starlings, insect cakes for tits and berry
cakes for finches. Put out finely chopped
bacon rind and grated cheese for small birds
such as wrens.
Although fat is important, do also provide a grain
mix or nuts to maintain a balanced diet. Sparrows,
finches and nuthatches will enjoy prising the
seeds out of sunflower heads.
No-mess mixes are more expensive but the
inclusion of de-husked sunflower hearts means
there is less waste. Inferior mixes are often padded
out with lentils.
Use wire mesh feeders for peanuts and seed
feeders for other seed. Specially designed feeders
are needed for the tiny niger seed, loved by
goldfinches. Feed placed on a wire mesh held
just off the ground will entice ground-feeding
birds such as robins and dunnocks. Thrushes
and blackbirds favour fruit. Scatter over-ripe
apples, raisins and songbird mixes on the ground
for them. Consider planting berrying and fruiting
trees and shrubs such as Malus, Cotoneaster
and Pyracantha to fill gaps.
The RHS is a UK charity established to share
the best in gardening. Their work is driven by
a simple love of plants and the belief that
gardeners make the world a better place.
For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk
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