Cold snap hits home for favourite birds (From Smallholder)

Cold snap hits home for favourite birds

5:40pm Friday 17th February 2012 in News

RSPB warns that small birds will suffer most as second wave of cold weather hits the UK.

You can wear an extra jumper and cosy up under a blanket but garden birds have less protection for another cold snap hitting home this weekend.

With Arctic blizzards forecast to head through the UK, the RSPB highlights ten of the most vulnerable garden birds: 1. wrens 2. goldcrests 3. long-tailed tits 4. coal tits 5. blue tits 6. robins 7. dunnocks 8. siskins 9. house sparrows 10. goldfinches While all wildlife struggles as temperatures drop, small birds find it really tough. Insect-eating birds like wrens and goldcrests endure a constant battle to find enough food to keep them alive. Kirsi Peck from the wildlife charity explains; “Birds have a high metabolic rate so use lots of energy to keep their body temperature constant.

“During the day they gain weight by feeding and lose weight overnight. In cold weather they can lose a huge proportion of their body weight at night, just keeping warm. “Smaller birds suffer greater heat loss so need more fat reserves to survive a cold night.”

Extended cold spells can be dangerous for birds, especially if snow cover cuts off access to food. Although tiny birds arguably suffer the most, ALL garden birds need our help at this time. High energy handouts in gardens can make a difference between life and death.

RSPB wildlife adviser Tom Waters suggests; “To give birds the best chance, put out a range of food like suet pellets, sunflower hearts, cooked potatoes and mild grated cheese. Live mealworms and cut up fruit are also great.

Some small birds get put off in a busy area so try placing food in different spots around the garden so that everyone gets a look in. We have had reports of territorial blackcaps taking over feeders!

“Water is always needed by birds so please remember to put out a fresh supply, especially if there’s an overnight freeze.” In colder weather, gardens are great places for shelter too. Small birds will roost in groups to preserve their body heat. Wrens will get together to shelter in cracks and crevices in buildings as well as in nest boxes. Wrens are one of the smallest birds in the UK and really get the benefits of communal roosting; one cold winter’s night saw 61 roost in one nesting box!

To provide more shelter, you can put up ‘roosting pockets’ that offer great protection from cold temperatures.

http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/p/Nestboxes/Roosting_pockets.htm Kirsi Peck adds; “Keep an eye out for other birds heading to your gardens this weekend. The cold weather usually throws in some strange faces in the bird world. Look out for Grey and Pied wagtails, redwings, fieldfares and even kingfishers!”

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