Feeding stations for birds and mammals can make a significant difference to the survival of wildlife populations during the winter, as well as providing the opportunity for people to see wildlife at close quarters.
Bird feeders
Winter feeding of garden birds is simple to do. nets of peanuts or hanging containers of wild bird food will attract tits, finches and other small birds into yards and gardens. Those species that cannot cling to hanging containers will scavenge for the scraps that fall to the ground. Generally avoid scattering food on bird tables, as the food may get wet before it is eaten, and tables need frequent cleaning to avoid disease problems. Hang feeders from walls, buildings, shrubs and trees. Feeders are available which can be attached to the outside of window panes. Plenty of perching places nearby, safe from cats, will encourage use of the feeders. Wooden pergolas and arches for summer climbing plants and hanging baskets double up as excellent bird feeding stations in the winter. Brackets on walls for hanging baskets are also useful for hanging feeders.
Encourage a good supply of natural food during the summer and autumn by providing invertebrate habitat, wildflower areas and shrubs that bear berries. Having fed the birds all winter, don’t then use insecticides to kill off caterpillars and other garden ‘pests’ which form the birds’ summer food supply!
Schools, offices, residential homes, day centres and other communal buildings are good sites for bird-feeding stations, where plenty of people will be able to enjoy watching the birds they attract. Be prepared for the expenditure required to sustain feeding through the winter. A couple of pounds worth of nuts and other food per week can easily be consumed by a suburban garden population. When setting up a project in a school or other centre, plan to have a small annual fund- raising event each autumn specifically to purchase bird food. The growing of sunflowers will provide sunflower seeds which can be either left in situ, or gathered and stored for winter feeding.
Feeding of larger birds is not recommended, as the species you will attract do very well without direct human help. Feeding of ducks and other waterfowl should never be done, as this will encourage a higher population than the lake or pond can naturally support, to the detriment of the aquatic ecosystem.
If there is no existing source nearby, provide water for birds to bathe and drink. Use rainwater if possible, as both birds and animals seem to prefer it to tap water! A shallow mud-edged rain-filled pool may not look very attractive but the birds will like it, and will also use it to gather mud for nest building.
Further information on bird feeding can be obtained from the BTO and the RSPB. A wide range of feeders are available, including those designed to be inaccessible to squirrels. Jacobi Jayne supply a wide range of bird feeders and animal homes, plus leaflets on nest boxes, bat boxes and methods of defeating squirrels.
Mammal feeding
The best way of supporting mammal populations is by providing suitable habitats. Direct feeding may be helpful, especially in late spring when there are litters of hungry young animals to be fed. However, the main benefit is possibly that feeding stations allow animals to be observed and studied. Feeding stations for badgers, foxes and hedgehogs are worthwhile, set up within view of hides or buildings which can be used at night by supervised groups.
