Feed the Birds!

During winter, many of our birds really suffer in the cold weather and many perish as temperatures drop.  We may take our birds for granted, but we would miss them if they weren't around.  Run a diary project during the cold weather with your little ones.  Chart what birds you see them and when, and put our food for them to attract them nea your home and to help them through the winter.

Nut feeders: there are all sorts of specialist nut feeders available from garden centres and pet shops to attract and feed different species of bird. You can simply hang a cheap nut feeder from a drainpipe or window and they will still come.  If the weather is bad, they will become bolder in order to get to the food!

Bird tables: place the food on the table in a good, open position, near to trees in case a predator comes or cover is needed, but away from the fence that a cat might use as a springboard to get to the table!  Make sure you can observe it from your window so that you and your children can enjoy watching the birds come and go.

Keep bird tables and feeders well stocked: if you decide to start helping the birds by providing food, try to keep it up throughout the winter so they can rely on your home to provide them with food throughout the winter rather than just for the first few days!  Have your children help you put out food each day.

Water: A bowl of water (rather than ice!) is useful as during the icy months usual sources of water to drink become icy and frozen solid - rendering them useless.  Bird baths are also essential for birds to clean their wings and rid themselves of any muddy debris that may have come attached.  When their wings are not washes properly, they have trouble flying.  Float a small plastic ball in the water to try to help it from freezing over.  If it does freeze, break the ice and replace it with fresh water.

Spot any bird tracks (or any other animals for that matter!) in the snow and get the children outside (wrapped up warm!) to look at their environment.

Encourage your children to get involved in whatever way they can.  Looking after nature is important and looking after our birds is easy and rewarding when you see them enjoying your food and flying around the wintery garden.