This is the critical time of the year for birds as the temperatures fall even further. With the still relatively milder weather compared with the last two winters many bird are still resorting to the general countryside for food. This is particularly the case with woodland birds and the lower numbers of these birds than usual in gardens has been remarked on by many readers. The only exceptions still seems to be the very large numbers of chaffinches coming to a variety of feeders and the blackbirds. Numbers of blue, great and coal tits are still comparatively low despite having a good breeding season in some areas last year. Only 2 or 3 greenfinches have been coming to the feeders each day which is very low compared with other years. In my garden the feeders that seem to be largely ignored are the two filled with nyjer. These tiny seeds seem to attract the goldfinches and siskins in particular and the numbers of both seem to be down. Let us just hope that both these birds are still finding plenty of food in woodlands.
The relatively milder weather has also meant that there have been fewer of the more unusual birds coming into gardens such as bramblings, fieldfares and redwings. I am still putting out apples each day, slicing them into quarters, and sticking them in the fruit trees. Normally now there would be the occasional one or two fieldfares coming for them but none so far this winter. This may be reflections that there are fewer of these Scandinavian thrushes in the countryside this far north. The very poor, almost non existent, crop of rowan berries meant that many of the fieldfares, and for that matter the redwings, just had to move on south or west to get food and so very few of these attractive birds were left in the north. As for the bramblings their presence seems to depend on the crop of beech nuts, often called mast, and this has been, like the rowan berries, poor in many areas this year. The result has been only one male brambling coming into our garden and it did not stay long. These attractive finches breed in Scandinavia although a few pairs stay each year to breed in the Highlands.
Whilst an increasing numbers of people are now feeding birds, and for that matter other wildlife, in their gardens there is another essential that birds need and that is often forgotten and that is a fresh supply of clean water. Normally this is not a problem as a source of water can be filled up on a regular basis and emptied and clean water put in every few days. However the lower temperatures means that any container will freeze. Birds need fresh water to keep their feathers in tip top condition mainly to keep them warm. The problem is that there are now so many designs of bird baths on the market it is difficult to choose. Some hang by chains whilst others are on the ground and some are very expensive because of their designs. Whilst designs may be aesthetically pleasing to us for the bird there are more practical issues. Drinking is one thing whilst the ability to bathe and preen feathers is another. The essential aspect is not the design but the fact that there are varying depths of water so the birds can fulfil all the functions of drinking and washing thoroughly. To see a bird washing and drinking is as satisfying as seeing one at a feeder. If ice is present keep changing the water. A good reference book is Chris Packham’s “Back Garden Nature Reserve” published by New Holland at £12.99