Supporting British Wildlife in the Cold

Winter in Britain can be a challenging time for garden birds and wildlife, especially during frosty spells when food and water sources become scarce.

As temperatures drop, wildlife rely more on the support provided by us to survive.

Here are some top tips to help you feed and care for our garden birds and wildlife during the colder months.

Foods for Freezing Weather

Providing high-energy, nutrient-rich foods is essential for birds during frosty weather. These foods help them maintain body fat, which is critical for staying warm during freezing nights:

• Fat Balls: Packed with calories, fat-based foods like our fat balls are a winter staple for garden birds. They’re especially popular with blue tits, great tits, and starlings. Hang them in feeders or crumble them on bird tables.
• Mealworms and Calciworms: These protein-rich treats are perfect for species like robins, blackbirds, and wrens. Calciworms also provide calcium, which is vital for maintaining strong bones.
• Peanuts: High in fats and proteins, peanuts are a favourite for many British birds, including woodpeckers and tits. Make sure they’re unsalted and offered in mesh feeders to prevent choking hazards.
• Kitchen Scraps: During frosty periods, certain kitchen scraps like grated cheese, cooked rice, and pieces of unsalted bacon fat can be a helpful addition to their diet.

Preventing Water from Freezing

Access to fresh water is just as important as food during frosty weather. Birds need water for drinking and bathing to keep their feathers in good condition for insulation. However, freezing temperatures often make natural water sources inaccessible.

• Daily Maintenance: Check birdbaths regularly and break the ice to provide fresh water. Avoid using antifreeze, as it’s toxic to birds.
• Add Movement: Placing a small ball, such as a ping pong ball, in the water can create gentle movement and help prevent freezing.
• DIY Solutions: Use warm (not boiling) water to defrost birdbaths and refill them frequently on particularly cold days.

Shelter Solutions for Birds

Birds expend a lot of energy during winter just trying to stay warm, so offering them shelter can make a big difference.

• Bird Boxes: Ensure bird boxes are clean and secure before the frost sets in. They provide an excellent place for birds to roost overnight.
• Dense Shrubs and Hedges: If you have hedges or dense shrubs, these act as natural windbreaks and provide a safe resting place.
• Roosting Pouches: Hanging roosting pouches in sheltered areas of your garden offers small birds extra protection from the elements.

Feeding Tips for Frosty Days

• Consistency is Key: Birds quickly learn where to find reliable food sources. Ensure you’re topping up feeders regularly to support them throughout winter.
• Spread Out Feeding Stations: Offer food in multiple locations to reduce competition and stress among birds.
• Clean Feeders and Tables: Hygiene is crucial in winter to prevent the spread of diseases like avian flu. Wash feeders and bird tables weekly with warm, soapy water.

Which British Birds to Look Out For

Winter is a great time to observe a variety of bird species in your garden. Common visitors include robins, blackbirds, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, and finches. In frosty weather, you may also spot rarer visitors like redwings or fieldfares, which migrate to Britain during the colder months.

Frosty weather can be tough for British birds, but with your help, they can thrive even in the harshest conditions. By providing high-energy foods, fresh water, and safe shelter, you’re giving them the best chance to survive and stay healthy through the winter.

For everything you need to keep your garden birds happy this winter, including mealworms, calciworms, peanuts, and fat balls, visit Walter Products. Together, we can support our feathered friends through the frost!