We are now well into Spring after the coldest winter for three decades, but please do not assume the birds are no longer in need of help with food and water. In fact, consumption from my garden feeders and the bird bath has at least doubled, as it always does when young birds are in the nest. It seems that Goldfinches - one of our smallest finches - have suffered losses over the long, cold winter, it is therefore important to provide for them to reduce losses from the new generation and help to rebuild their population numbers. The intensely arable nature of our countryside and the constant mowing of most grassland creates a state of famine for this specialist seed eater especially at this time in the year. I find sunflower hearts (de-husked sunflower seed) the best all round food, add a peanut feeder and if you have NOT got a cat problem, mixed seed and serial fed on the ground will attract a wide variety of species.
I cannot stress enough the importance of hygiene on bird baths, feeders and tables, birds can contract salmonella etc. from dirty feeding stations and ground feeding locations should be changed - if space allows - and swept clean from time to time. Feeders need washing, in dry weather about once a month, in damp weather fortnightly or even weekly. Keep a watchful eye on your feeders, if the contents at the bottom of the feeder changes colour, or mould is apparent remove it immediately, discard remaining contents and replace with a clean feeder and fresh contents. For these reasons choose plastic or metal feeders rather than wood, as the latter is so difficult to keep clean, An ornamental wood bird table is an attractive feature in the garden but for the sake of the birds you are trying to help, use the table for water placed in a washable bowl and hang feeders from the bird table. You may have noticed the absence of greenfinches over the winter period, this species has also suffered considerable losses resulting from a contagious disease affecting their throat and preventing them from swallowing I'm told. I am as yet unaware of the cause or origin of this disease but it seems to be confined to greenfinches thus far.
Now that our species has more or less emerged from hibernation many will once again be battling with nature, cutting and slashing with power tools. Please be aware of nesting birds and amphibians sheltering under ground covering foliage which may also be a refuge for the poor hedgehog, now so sadly depleted in numbers, and a B.A.P.species. Also remember robins will sometimes nest on or very close to the ground, so a careful search before cutting, please.
If you would like to help wildlife I have a range of fact sheets and can arrange an advisory visit on a voluntary basis - just call one of the numbers listed below.
George Millins
01787 374874 mobile 07534 263629
