2023-12-02 10:30:00
The bramblings spend the winter with us. They prefer to feed on seeds and insects. But other birds need different food, as biologist Livio Rey from the Swiss Bird Observatory explains.
IMAGO/imagebroker
Published2. December 2023, 11:30
In winter: Do you want to feed birds? There’s just one thing you shouldn’t do
Do you want to ensure that the local birds get through the winter better? We asked the Swiss Bird Observatory what to look out for.
von
Winter is here – also for the birds. The cold months can be challenging for animals, especially in urban areas where natural food sources are often lacking. We asked the Swiss Bird Observatory how best to support the birds in winter.
Native plants
“If you have a garden, you have numerous options for encouraging birds,” explains biologist Livio Rey: “A garden with many native bushes and trees, flower meadows and small structures offer birds and numerous other animals an attractive habitat. On balconies you are more limited, but you can do a lot with flower boxes or green facades.”
The right food
Anyone who wants to feed the birds should note: that different birds eat different things: “There is nothing wrong with proper and moderate feeding,” says Rey. However, nature and bird protection is still important, as endangered species do not benefit from feeding. Only common birds come there.
At the feeder it is important that the birds cannot sit on the food. This has hygienic reasons.
IMAGO/imagebroker
Rey explains which birds prefer which food: “For grain eaters, it is best to use food with as many hemp seeds and sunflower seeds as possible. Of the soft-eaters and insectivores, only blackbirds, robins and starlings appear regularly at the feeding site. They like to eat oatmeal, chopped tree and hazelnuts, raisins and fruit that may already be a little rotten.
By the way, you shouldn’t make a mistake under any circumstances: When feeding, it’s important that you lay out or hang up the food so that the birds can’t sit in it, as Rey says: “Otherwise they can defecate in it and all over the feces diseases spread among birds.”
Align nesting boxes correctly
Birds often have few nesting opportunities, especially in densely built-up areas. You can support them with nesting boxes, but they must be correctly aligned: the entry holes should be away from the weather side and, if possible, to the east or southeast. So that the birds can get used to it, it’s worth taking out the nesting boxes now – also because they offer protection from the cold in winter, as Rey explains.
Nesting boxes offer protection from cold and moisture in winter – but they must be correctly aligned.
IMAGO/imagebroker
If you want to do something good for the birds, you should also avoid Christmas lights: “There is already a lot of artificial light in urban areas. Nevertheless, any avoidance of additional light is to be welcomed from a nature perspective, as many animals are sensitive to light.”
What should I do if I find an injured bird?
The biologist also has specific recommendations for this: “Then call the bird observatory. We are available during office hours 365 days a day and will be happy to help or refer you to the nearest care station. Under no circumstances should you care for a weakened bird yourself. In addition to a permit, this requires a lot of experience, and well-intentioned help often does more harm than good.”
Injured birds should be taken to a care center. Inexperienced helpers can unintentionally cause more harm to the animal.
IMAGO/imagebroker
1701518334
#Proper #food #support #birds #cold #season
