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Feeding wild birds will increase the varieties that visit your garden and greatly improve their survival rate during harsh conditions. It also enhances their success rates during the breeding season.
When to feed?
The RSPB and the BTO now recommend that wild birds are fed all year round. However it is particularly important during Autumn, Winter and Spring when naturally occurring foods are in short supply. Ensure feed is available first thing in the morning, this will help them replace energy lost through the night, and again at mid afternoon to help them build up some reserves as night falls.
Once you have started feeding the birds do not stop as they will come to rely on the food you put out.
How to feed?
It is strongly recommended that peanuts are fed from wire mesh type feeders. This ensures that birds can only consume small bite size pieces pecked through the mesh. Whole peanuts can present a choking hazard to younger birds. If loose feeding peanuts they should be crushed into small pieces.
Seed and seed mixes can be fed loose of from seed feeders.
When using either method try to ensure that the feed or feeder is safely sited away from predators such as cats.
Clean fresh water is also an important ingredient for wild bird survival, especially in freezing conditions. Try and ensure that there is a constant, clean and plentiful supply for drinking and bathing.
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Site out of reach of predators and shelter from prevailing wind, rain and strong sunlight. Do not place adjacent to bird tables or other feeding devices.
If fixing to a tree trunk, ensure nest box is fixed on a downward angle to prevent rain ingress. A prickly collar, made from holly or brambles placed around the tree will help deter predators. Do not disturb the nest box once it is in use until fledging's have left the nest, usually by the end of August.
The adoption of nest boxes by Tits and Sparrows will be greatly encouraged if several boxes are sited around the garden.
Nest boxes should be cleaned during September after they have become deserted, they will then be in good condition for use as a winter roosting site. Clean them again in January so that they will be ready for nesting in Spring.
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