Protect your garden feathered friends with smart feeder ideas
Bird baths and feeders play a crucial role in supporting wildlife through the harsh winter season. Providing fresh water and fatty foods can help birds stay nourished and warm despite the frosty weather. But there is an important trick regarding the positioning of bird feeders to deter unwanted visitors. Gardeners World suggests that bird feeders should be thoughtfully positioned, ideally hanging near roses to not only feed birds but also to encourage them to eat "overwintering pests".
Total Bird Control warns that creatures like rats or pigeons might become regular visitors to your garden if they spot food out for birds. Their advice includes: "Seeing wild birds in the garden is one of life's pleasures and, of course, by feeding them we are helping to protect the natural world. At Christmas in particular bird feeding gifts become popular, with festive designs available and even bird food 'wreaths'.
Little birds need all the help they can get come winter time(Image: Getty Images)
"However, it's wise to consider how to prevent attracting pests into your garden, such as rats or infestations of pigeons.
"To keep everything balanced, the RSPB recommends providing just enough food for a day to avoid leftovers that could attract other animals. They also suggest keeping bird food off the ground, despite the temptation to spread it around for convenience. The guide further suggests: "In the same vein it is wise to avoid throwing food for birds on the floor as this attracts pests.
"Seed trays at the bottom of feeders help to stop waste being spilt on the floor while hulled seeds also cut down the possibility of food reaching the floor."
Gardeners should think smartly when it comes to feeder placement to safeguard food resources for little birds(Image: Getty)
Pigeon behaviour around bird feeders has been called "problematic" as they often hog all the resources, preventing other species from feeding and therefore undermining the very purpose of bird feeders. To combat the pigeon takeover, it's recommended that "As pigeons are so much bigger than most wild birds, smaller feeders can prevent them accessing food," according to the experts, reports the Mirror.
Utilising hanging feeders with finer mesh helps deter pigeons, but always be conscious of any dropped food, and implement additional strategies if necessary. With winter rolling in, it's crucial to stock bird feeders with high-fat items like cheese or cooked rice balls to provide our feathered friends with ample energy.
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