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Put
small amounts of food out regularly – especially on bird tables.
This keeps mess to a minimum and is healthier for birds as they are
not eating old and mouldy food. Your birds will learn your routine
and will be ready and waiting, so it's good to keep a camera or your
smartphone handy.
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Put
out food they have to stay and eat, rather than things they can fly
away with – larger pieces mean they have to peck bits off while
you get your photo. Bread isn't really good for birds, so try fatty scraps, invest in some sunflower seeds or fat balls and meal worms [dead ones in packets are not unpleasant to deal with].
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Wedge
things like peanuts, fat or cheese rind into cracks in a stump or
branch so they'll have to work a bit to get at them. Drill a few
holes if necessary!
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Get
to know where the birds like to perch – some prefer to pause on a
nearby branch or fence post to check things out before they
approach. So set one up or trim back a few twigs if they are in your
way.
give them some water too - a large plant tray will make a great bath for a flock of sparrows.
1 comment:
MEALWORMS: Please don't use the dried out ones, they apparently have very little nutritional value to the birds. Especially no dried ones during breeding season - If given to chicks they will de-hydrate them, or even choke them.
There are plenty of sources for Live ones (the best) & "squidgy" dead ones, usually these come coated in a liquid, to keep them fresh.
Tip - Feed Live mealworms at this time of year & the chicks that get given this food will grow quickly & their parents will have less work to do to feed them. Your local Robin will love you to bits!
All the other ideas are great tips for new photographers & new birdwatchers to enjoy their Personal garden wildlife.
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