Feeding the birds

morethan I think that is a wagtail. Does it twitch its tail up and down as it walks/runs?

Psst has the snow stopped yet?

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I didn't think to grind the seed up. I'll do that tomorrow. Had a shock when I thought the dog had eaten the lard I'd taken out of the freezer [paper and all] until I realised I'd moved it to a safer place. She used to be a terrible thief but now she's old she doesn't do it as much and I'm getting a bit complacent.

I made some fat ball mix today with peanuts, bird seed, sunflower seed,apple, grapes and cheese all ground up and mixed with some warmed up lard.

I ran out of feeders and found an old ladle and whisk which I stuffed the mix into and hung them from the trees. They are having a feast. I hang all feeders on tree branches, no problem with rats and our cat, although a good mouser, doesn’t bother the birds.

I haven't seen any redwings for years...

Handsome birds. We had some in our lane on Sunday; they are quite often seen alongside redwings but I haven't seen the latter this year. They come to this country to escape the cold weather in Scandinavia. They misjudged it badly this year!

Was feeling disappointed as, having put out a piece of bread covered in suet, margarine, peanut butter and dog food, very few birds were taking an interest [except, of course, Mr Pigeon who was still eating the seed and lard that I made yesterday]. Then I looked out and there was a Jay feeding from it. I know they're quite common but I've only seen them a handful of times [if that].

Oh lovely photo whitewave I’ve never heard of Fielfaresnever mind seen one.

Whitewave They are gorgeous little birds. All fluffed up to keep warm.

Thank you oldgoat I’m the same as you I really don’t like them flying about. If they got in my house I’d run out the house and probably get run over by a bus(not today there aren’t any nor any traffic because of the snow)

Fielfares here

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morethan2 That's a pied wagtail.
I don't like birds flapping around me but enjoy watching them through the window.

We've just spotted a fieldfare in our back garden. They only come in from the fields when they are desperately hungry.

You can still feed the birds without feeding the rats or the squirrels, get some of these:

www.amazon.co.uk/Hanging-Acrylic-Integrated-Suction-Attachments/dp/B06XFGGK43/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=window+bird+feeder+uk&tag=gransnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1519899132&sr=8-4

The added advantage is that you can sit on your sofa and watch them.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201803/medium-126979-a7d93216-3693-4e44-8a67-0e7f26daf0a1.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201803/medium-659256-23606836-15da-4c4d-947d-c812d48e0593.jpeg

Who’s this little fella? (Oh dear I’m turning into a bird watcher)

I’ve found some buckwheat in the cupboard and have boiled up a painful. Do any of you know if the raw state is digestible for birds?

Mostly a blackbird on my bird table but also tits, a robin and a thrush yesterday. I buy bird food at the pound shop.

would dearly love to feed the birds.... but! having had Rats making a big nest under my shed due to next door putting too much bird food out...and the birds not eating it..hence the rats enjoyed 3 course meals....

I love to watch the birds sat in the conservatory (ha I dont mean the birds sit in the conservatory)

Just tottered out and put some hot water out- that will be frozen in a minute

My little pied wagtail has found the dry mealy worms hoorah!

Well some of the nuts and raisins I put out last evening are still there so perhaps that means no rats. The little birds are eating them now. Rats is part of the reason I never put any foods stuff out,together with my irrational fear of birds but the weather is so bad I felt sorry for the little living beings. Maybe I should invest in a tall bird table for next winter! The weather should improve over the weekend so my stash of fruit and nut mix will hopefully last that long

I haven't seen any tits in my garden recently which is a worry. The robins seemed to be having a right battle today over whose territory my garden was. Annoyingly I was too lazy to cover todays bird seed that was on the ground so I bet the rats are eating it now! Currently going through my store cupboard to work concoct some recipes for them [the birds, not the rats]. Must get up early tomorrow cause that's when the birds are most active [unlike me].

Anyone see the deer walking along a high street looking for food
Yes, it was on the news, extraordinary. I hope someone had some food suitable for them.

varian if you put a ball in the pond or in the bird bath it will stop the ice forming apparently; probably a tennis ball in the bird bath and a football in the pond. That was a tip from Mike Dilger on our local news last night.

I am worried about my local robins and the various tits that come into my garden.
Before the beast from the east came along I was hosting a family of several Long tailed Tits Coal tits, blue tits and quite a lot of other small birds.

I don't know how these very tiny birds survive.

I'm beginning to think we spend as much on wild bird food as we do on the dogs, cat and chickens put together.

I don`t feed the birds, not because I don`t like them, I do, but I have a cat, and there are lots of other cats around here as well, so don`t want to put the birds in danger by tempting them into the yard.