Keep Feeding the Birds this Springtime

Feed the birds this springtime – RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch report finds small garden birds affected by cold weather

The number of small birds - including Coal Tits and Goldcrests - spotted in gardens has fallen as a result of this winter's big freeze according to the RSPB. Coal Tit numbers fell by 20% and Goldcrests by 75%, the charity's annual Big Garden Birdwatch found.

Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Sarah Kelly is quoted as saying: "We were particularly concerned for small birds over the winter, asking people to make sure they kept feeders topped up and supplied fresh water to help them."These results highlight the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, especially during prolonged cold periods."

This winter has seen extremely harsh weather conditions and although spring has arrived, we are expecting an interruption of further freezing conditions as snow is forecast again in some areas.

Small birds have suffered greatly this winter and sightings of them in our gardens have significantly declined over the last few weeks. With the breeding season and more cold weather on the way it is now, more important that ever, to ensure the survival of our small garden birds and their next generation by providing them with good quality, high energy food on which they will thrive.

Garden Bird Supplies offers a comprehensive range of premium bird food designed for every type of garden bird, from seed mixes to suet blocks and food blocks to live foods. A monthly feeding guide also helps bird lovers to know the best foods to put out for their feathered visitors. Once birds find a constant supply of food they are likely to stay close to it, preserving energy normally used in searching for other food sources.

Garden Bird Supplies offer a wide range of general and specialist bird foods from Ultiva® Original (a mixture of high energy food perfect for year-round feeding) through to Bogena Harsh Weather Supplement (a complete supplement for fruit and insect eating birds such as Robins, Blackbirds, Thrushes and Wagtails).

Prices for all the food mixes are highly competitive starting from £6.99 for a 2kg bag of Four Season Table and Ground Mix. Individual food supplements are also available such as Niger Seed Thistle (fed as a tonic) or Kibbled Maize, ideal for smaller bird species.

As well as a comprehensive collection of bird food, Garden Bird Supplies also offer a large selection of feeders, live food (such as worms), bird baths, tables, nesting boxes and feeder accessories such as a handy Table Scraper at £6.99.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which took place on 30 and 31 January, recorded more than 8.5 million birds of 73 different species in 280,000 gardens across the UK. More than 530,000 people took part in the birdwatching event.

Part of the Flying Brands group, Garden Bird Supplies is one of the UK’s leading mail order suppliers and on-line retailers of bird products, with a comprehensive collection ranging from bird baths and books to nesting boxes and feeders.