High Energy Bird-food for Winter

Even in a mild winter like the one we are having, wet, blustery weather means that many species struggle to find enough food to survive. Small birds suffer the most. Their low body mass means that they lose heat and weight quickly and every foraging trip for them is vital. I keep my garden feeders topped up daily and have found that my garden visitors particularly like the Peckish range of foods such as their Winter Warmer seed mix and their Daily Goodness Nuggets, which are rich in high-energy and high-protein ingredients such as suet, seeds and mealworms.

Take a look here:  www.peckishbirdfood.com  (No, I'm not on commission!)

Inclement Weather for Garden Birds

I worry about the fate of my garden birds during this period of inclement weather: gale-force winds and torrential rain that has seen many households in Sussex, Surrey and Kent without power since 24th December. Another section of my garden fence has been destroyed and feeders have been ripped from their locations in my garden trees.

I replaced everything this morning and topped up the feeders. The weather had subsided somewhat and to my relief my garden birds were back. Goldfinches, House Sparrows, Blue-tits, Starlings, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, a Robin, Jackdaws, Collared Doves, Woodpigeons and Feral Pigeons all availed themselves of the bounty of food available and the water in the two birdbaths. My garden might look a mess but at least the birds are surviving this dreadful weather, although some, I am sure, have perished.

Still have not seen any sight of the Blackcaps though. I keep hoping... 

The Gathering Storm

The barometer is dropping. There is a quiet presently complete with torrential rain. The south of  England is bracing for a tumultuous storm, the worst for 20 years. Not as bad as 1987, God forbid. We should expect trees toppling, roof tiles being dislodged, garden fences ripped asunder. The low pressure area is building over the south west atlantic and is headed this way. And I am concerned for my garden birds.

In tree ripping weather accompanied by torrential rain, where can they hide? Birds cannot fly in 80mph winds, as is forecast. It is virtually impossible to roost apart from in the most sheltered accommodation. And where might that be on the south coast?

I watched my garden birds today attempting to hang on to feeders already battered by fresh winds. It is going to get a lot worse, a lot worse. I have nurtured these garden visitors all year. I braved the rain today to top up the feeders. I see my birds lurking in the topmost branches of the lilac tree, waiting for the food to be replenished. I feel responsible for this population of extraordinary wildlife. I attracted them here and I won't let them down so far as food and water is concerned. But I cannot protect them from inclement weather. Where will they go when the storm hits? Will they survive monstrous winds that will no doubt wreak havoc with my garden trees?

Nature is about to throw its worst at the south coast and I will keep a vigil on my garden bird population....