Come feed the little birds, show them you care

With snow on the ground and food for birds depleted, now is a great time to think about our garden visitors again and how you can lend a helping hand.

A cold snap means they need more energy just to keep warm, but it can be difficult to find food and water when the snow has settled and usual sources have frozen over.

Different species eat different things, so make sure you’re providing the birds in your garden with their preferred menu.

According to the RSPB, (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), there are different mixes for feeders, for bird tables and ground feeding. The better mixtures contain plenty of flaked maize, sunflower seeds, and peanut granules.

Pinhead oatmeal is excellent for many birds: avoid cooked oats or porridge as it can stick to birds’ beaks.

Birds need high levels of saturated fat, as this helps them keep warm in the worst winter weather. Raw suet and lard are perfect, as are fat balls and other fat-based food bars. Just remember to remove the nylon mesh bag provided to prevent injuries or trapping birds.

Avoid soft fats and oils, such as cooking fat, polyunsaturated margarines or vegetable oils, as these can soil and coat feathers, destroying their vital waterproof and insulating qualities.

Never give milk to any bird, as they cannot digest it. Ingesting milk can result in serious stomach upsets, or even death, says the RSPB.

Birds love fresh and dried fruit, but keep vine fruits, such as grapes, out of reach of cats or dogs as they can be toxic. Grapes, currants, raisins or sultanas can all be poisonous to our beloved pets, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea and kidney failure.

If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your vet immediately.

Avoid putting too much food out to prevent rats and other vermin. Only put out what will be eaten: this will help avoid mouldy food, which can cause respiratory infections in birds.

Birds need to drink and bathe every day - even when it's really cold outside. A pond or bird bath is great, but even an upturned bin lid or plant saucer can give birds the water they need.

Prevent water from freezing with a light ball floating in the water, and never add any anti-freeze, glycerine or salt to water. This can poison birds or stop their feathers being waterproof.

Finally, don’t forget to clean your bird feeders and bird tables as dirty surfaces can help spread diseases.

Clean them on a regular basis, and always wash your hands after feeding the birds.