Re: Bird feeders
- From: John Russell <jrussell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 08 Apr 2006 08:27:14 GMT
Tim Hall wrote:
On Fri, 07 Apr 2006 21:16:34 GMT, "Stephen Rainsbury"
<stephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -> wrote:
"John Russell" <jrussell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ti5d32d4musoolgehmqtodobvgnebvjnk9@xxxxxxxxxx
Richard Hunt wrote:
Can I suggest you make the feeders in the Autumn term, not next term?
Wild
birds don't need feeding in the Summer. Feeding should be encouraged as
Winter approaches. And it would be a shame to make feeders and then say
"Don't use them yet."
Our Cubs are doing the same but they have been advised that now is the best
time to start because it means that brooding parents can feed easier which
make sit easier for them to feed their young,
From the horse's mouth, so to speak:
<http://www.rspb.org.uk/gardens/whatyoucando/feedinggardenbirds/when_to_feed.asp>
"When to feed wild birds
Although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur
at any time of the year. By feeding year round, we are giving birds a
better chance to survive the periods of food shortage whenever they
may occur.
Autumn and winter
Put out food and water on a regular basis. In severe weather, feed
twice daily if possible, in the morning and in the early afternoon.
Birds require high energy (high fat) foods during the cold winter
weather. They need to maintain their body reserves to survive the
frosty nights. All foods listed in this leaflet are suitable for
winter feeding. Use only good quality food and scraps. Always adjust
the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to
accumulate around the feeders. Once you establish a feeding routine,
try not to change it.
Spring and summer
Only selected foods should be fed at this time and good hygiene is
vital (see below), or feeding may do more harm than good.
During the summer months birds require high protein foods, especially
while they are moulting. Black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal,
soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese, mealworms,
waxworms, mixes for insectivorous birds, good seed mixtures without
loose peanuts, RSPB food bars and summer seed mixture can all be used.
Soft apples and pears cut in half, bananas and grapes are also useful
foods. Some people use soaked dog or cat food and tinned pet foods,
but these may attract magpies, crows and cats. Avoid using peanuts,
fat and bread at this time, since these foods can be harmful if
brought to nestlings. If you feel you must put out peanuts, only do so
in suitable mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces of
peanuts to be removed."
I couldn't possibly argue against any of that, but . . . .
Your target audience is 9 years old, and you're pitching this at the level
of a home made feeder made from a lemonade bottle.
If you send them home with feeders filled with a suitable summer mixture,
half of them will be thrown away when they're empty and not replaced, the
other half will be refilled with peanuts. You might get one or two who get
the message and do the job properly.
It's a simpler message, that birds need food in the winter, therefore an
easier message to sell. If you send the feeders home in the winter you've
got a good chance of most of them being kept filled with peanuts over
winter. And by spring you could return to the topic, briefly, for those who
are still on-board. Softly, softly, catchee 9 year old!
--
John Russell
CSL 1st Pinhoe Exeter Devon
http://www.pinhoescouts.org.uk/cubs/
Cubs don't care how much you know, but they need to know how much you care.
.
- References:
- Bird feeders
- From: Richard Hunt
- Re: Bird feeders
- From: John Russell
- Re: Bird feeders
- From: Stephen Rainsbury
- Re: Bird feeders
- From: Tim Hall
- Bird feeders
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