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News: January 2005

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Winter bird advice for gardeners

Appeared on Space For Nature on January 4th 2005
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With the worst of the winter weather likely still to come, the RSPB has issued some guidelines for gardeners who wish to help birds.
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 Details  
The RSPB has issued the seven-point plan for gardeners:
  1. Introduce a bird table and high-energy seed mixes. You can also use the table to put out kitchen scraps such as grated cheese and soaked dried fruit.
  2. Put out hanging feeders for black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts.
  3. Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but do not add anything to the water to prevent it from freezing.
  4. Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees will help the more shy garden visitors, such as treecreepers, wrens, and goldcrests.
  5. Put up nest boxes to provide roost sites for the smaller birds. They might then be used for breeding later in the year.
  6. Plant berry-bearing plants in your garden, such as hawthorn, holly, cotoneaster and berberis to help birds in the coming years.
  7. Make sure you keep your feeders and bird tables clean - using small amounts of mild disinfectant or specialized cleaner and warm water.
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 Source  
Anon. Seven-point plan to help winter birds. Viewed on the web at http://www.rspb.org.uk/gardens/whatyoucando/feedinggardenbirds/plan.asp on January 4th 2005.

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