The charity explained how the simple change can help birds in the winter months
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is urging bird lovers to place a particular type of sports item in their gardens. The item can help to keep birds alive and healthy during the harsh winter months, when water sources often freeze over.
The plea was shared by the charity in a Facebook post, urging homeowners to do what they can to help birds during cold weather. The caption read: “As the temperature begins to drop, here are some top tips for helping your feathery visitors keep warm during the cold snap.”
In the post, the RSPB detailed three things homeowners can do to help any birds visiting their garden. The voiceover explained: “Three ways to help birds in a cold snap. When the mercury drops, birds need more energy to stay warm. A hanging feeder full of calorie-rich seeds will give them the fuel they need.”
The advice continued: “A clean and ice-free water source will also be a great help. Pro tip: a ping-pong ball in your birdbath will stop it from completely freezing over.”
For the third tip, the voiceover added: “The harsh weather means proper shelter will go a long way. Nest boxes are popular with multiple birds occupying them for communal warmth, while dense hedges, like Hawthorn and Privet, are popular winter roosts, too.” The video concluded: “With a long winter ahead, see what you can do. Even the smallest thing can make a difference.”
More information is available on the RSPB website, including which leftovers it’s safe to feed to birds. The RSPB advises: “You can help birds in the winter by providing food in your outdoor space.
“Kitchen scraps like mild grated cheese, bruised fruit, cooked rice, unsalted bits of hard fat, roast potatoes and dry porridge oats go down a treat with garden birds. Or you can make your own full-fat high-energy bird cakes.
The other option is buying calorie-rich foods like mixed seed, sunflower seed, nyjer seed and good quality peanuts.” However, it’s important to be aware that not all foods are suitable, and some could put birds at risk of health problems.
The advice continues: “There are some foods you should avoid putting out as they can be dangerous for birds. Cooking fat from the roast mixes with meat juices during cooking to make a runny, greasy mixture. This sticks to feathers and stops them from being waterproof. Also avoid dried coconut, cooked porridge oats, milk, and mouldy or salted food.”
If you opt to provide feeders, it’s important they are kept clean to help prevent the spread of disease. “The RSPB recommends cleaning them once a week with a mild detergent solution, such as washing-up liquid. Remember to wear gloves and get rid of any unused or mouldy food.”
