Feeding Birds In Your Garden

Goldfinch by Fran O'Connell

As winter draws in the days are shortening and the weather is getting colder. This diminishes the feeding opportunities for birds in two respects. Firstly, the amount of food available reduces as winter progresses. Secondly, with the reduced daylight hours the actual time available for feeding is more limited. The colder weather also uses up a bird’s energy resources more quickly making feeding and availability of food so much more important. Thus by providing safe regular food householders can make a real difference to the well being of our feathered friends. Indeed, in severe cold weather conditions feeding can make the difference between their survival or otherwise.

By attracting birds into our gardens it also gives us the chance to observe them at close quarters from the comfort of our homes. Thus the opportunity presents itself to observe various species feeding together and to compare their various plumages. Watching their antics, squabbles and different feeding strategies leads to endless enjoyment and even a little serious study. The photographer should also have many good chances for an excellent shot.

Siskin by Andrew Malcolm

LIKELY SPECIES

Birdwatch Ireland has been conducting a winter garden bird survey for a number of years. The results for the 2011 winter (ranked as gardens most frequently visited) was as follows:

1 Robin	9   Goldfinch	17 Pied wagtail	25 Long-tailed tit
2 Blackbird	10   Coal tit	18 Wood pigeon	26 Lesser redpoll
3 Blue tit	11   House sparrow	19 Collared dove	27 Bullfinch
4 Chaffinch	12   Greenfinch	20 Hooded crow	28 Sparrow hawk
5 Great tit	13   Dunnock	21 Blackcap	29 Fieldfare
6 Magpie	14   Wren	22 Redwing	30 Feral pigeon
7 Starling	15   Jackdaw	23 Mistle thrush	31 Goldcrest
8 Song thrush	16   Rook	24 Siskin	32 Brambling

Obviously not all of these species will occur in every garden but the majority may do so over the course of the winter.

Birdwatch Ireland conducts their survey each winter and for those interested in participating this winter details are on their web site as are results of previous surveys.

FOOD

Great Tit by Liam Cahill

Birds may be fed a wide range of foodstuffs. Among the most popular (from the birds perspective) are peanuts, nyjer seed and sunflower seed. These are high in energy and oil and will readily attract a variety of species including siskins, redpoll and goldfinch. The disadvantage of these is their cost. In recent years they have increased massively in price and consideration should be given to less costly alternatives. These include flaked maize, flaked barley and rolled oats along with commercially prepared wild birdseed. Fat balls are very attractive to a variety of species along with being very nutritious. They can be purchased or prepared at home. Apples (windfalls) are very popular with thrushes and blackbirds and readily attract blackcaps. Raisins, cake and boiled rice are also very acceptable.

In cold weather naturally occurring water freezes. Birds still need to drink and a supply of unfrozen water may prove a lifesaver. Remember to make fresh water available during cold spells.

Blackbird by Fran O'Connell

EQUIPMENT

Bird feeders are a very efficient method of feeding smaller birds and conserving peanuts and expensive seed such as nyjer and sunflower. Bird tables are an attractive way of presenting food and observing the action. A note of caution – equipment needs to be regularly cleaned and sterilised to prevent the spread of disease. Some species will not use feeders or bird tables so it is necessary to spread some food directly on to the ground.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

The recent highlight was the discovery by Colum Flynn of a Blyth’s reed warbler at Helvick. This is the first record for Waterford. Unfortunately the bird proved extremely difficult to see while calling continuously from cover.

Other birds of note seen included yellow-browed warbler, osprey and redstart while minke and fin whales, common dolphin and common (harbour) seals were present along the coast. Thrushes, ducks, geese, swans, and divers are now returning here for the winter.

Lesser Redpoll by Liam Cahill

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com