Hopping, it points the tip of its beak while you work the soil in the vegetable garden … This graceful robin, with chickadees, greenfinch, sparrows, starlings, magpies and tree finches , populates the gardens, even in the city. But between December and the end of March, and especially during periods of frost and snow, all of these birds have difficulty feeding, even though they burn more calories to fight the cold.
Water and seeds until March
A high energy food (fat and seeds rich in lipids and carbohydrates, mainly), as well as water are essential for them. Multiply the feeders that protect the food from the wind and bad weather: it is better to have several small supply points than a single large one. Place them out of reach of cats and any rodents, for example on a stake in an open area or suspended from frail branches on which they will be the only ones able to venture.
Avoid proximity to windows, a source of accidents. Garnish them if possible morning and evening, and clean them once a week. Remember to collect seeds that have fallen to the ground: they attract rats and mice. Regularly renew the water you make available to them (at best every day). And don't forget the nesting boxes that don't house chickens this season, but allow adults to shelter from the cold until spring.
Well-stocked feeders
It's good for birds: vegetable or animal fats (lard, tallow, butter, margarine…). Unsalted seeds rich in lipids: sunflower, millet, hemp, oats, unshelled peanuts, etc. Dried fruits such as apricots or grapes. Also good: dry cheese rinds, ham or bacon rind, overripe fruits, cooked potatoes, pasta and rice.
It is better to avoid: crumbs of rusks and dry bread, dried coconut, raw rice, milk, flax or castor seeds (poisonous).
"Four-star" shrubs
Country hedges, made up of mixed shrubs, give a lot of naturalness to the garden and are a good way to offer birds shelter (they shelter their nests there) and cover if they include berry shrubs, such as pyracantha. . Nicknamed burning bush, it is covered with ivory flowers with a honey scent, in May, then with sleeves of red, orange or yellow berries. The ornamental apple tree and the European "Red Cascade" charcoal are also interesting options.
Making hearts from seeds
Melt some fat (Vegetalin or lard) in a saucepan over low heat. Incorporate a special bird seed mixture and mix. Let cool until a compact dough is still warm. Place several cookie cutters on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and fill them with dough. Push 12 cm of string on the top of each form and let harden completely. Unmould before hanging.
Prepare succulent apples
Cut the apples into thin slices and poke a hole in the top of each slice. Slip a ribbon and tie a knot. Melt the fat in a saucepan over low heat. Dip half of the slices in the liquid fat then roll them in seeds. Let dry and hang.
Read also :
⋙ What if you find an injured bird?
⋙ Help the birds through the winter
⋙ Cakes to feed the birds this winter
⋙ 3 original ideas to feed birds