How to set up a winter bird feeding station

Not all birds migrate north for summer in Europe. There are many that remain, including the brightly coloured  sunbirds, weavers, doves, thrushes, barbets,  the petite Cape White-eye and Cape Sparrow, as well as the African Hoopoe, Glossy Starling, Dark-capped Bulbul, Speckled Mousebird, and Grey Go-away-bird.

The good news is that these are mostly common garden inhabitants and by putting out a feast of seed, suet, fruit and nectar it is possible to record a dozen or more different bird species after just a few hours of birdwatching, says Mark Anderson, CEO of Birdlife South Africa.

We’re for birds
Setting up feeders is also our way of giving back to nature, especially in winter, says Marlaen Straathof, from Kirchhoffs Wild Wings, a bird care product range that is supplied through garden centres and hardware outlets.

You will need: a variety of feeders for different birds, bird food, and suitable places for hanging the feeders. Placing is very important. Birds need to feel safe and at the same time, the feeders should be visible for bird watching and accessible for topping up the food and cleaning.

Feeders:

Wooden seed and fruit  feeders should have a flat bottom with a roof or overhang  to keep seed dry. A narrow perch will keep pigeons away, as they tend to chase smaller birds. Knock a nail or two  through the base of the feeder to act as spikes on which to push the fruit. Open feeders can be messy but the Wild Wings Patio Feeder has a glass front that acts as a ‘seed tank’, letting a limited amount of seed through at the base.

Wild Wings Suet feeders range from functional Wild Wings wire holders to decorative terracotta bowls that double as garden décor. Choose a suet feeder that allows the birds to perch and feed but can only peck off small pieces of suet at a time. Birds likely to be attracted to the suet include White-eyes, thrushes, Boubous, Cape Robin Chat, Crested Barbets and Bulbuls

Wild Wings Nectar bottles fill the gap in winter when there is little in flower. It takes the form of a bottle that can be hung from a branch or a beam and is angled to ensure a constant supply of nectar. It is a good idea to have two nectar feeders, but to fill one with water as this is often in short supply as well.

Good to know: Keep feeders clean by washing them once a week with soap and water or a weak solution of bleach. Remove rotting seed and bird droppings, as this can spread disease.

Recommended Bird Food:

• Bird seed: the Wild Wings mix of grains/seeds includes sunflower seeds for birds with larger bills as well as smaller grains and black oil sunflower seeds for smaller birds. Mixes should be fresh and check for mildew or mould because this is harmful to birds.
• Wild Wings Suet is especially valuable in winter because it is a high fat and protein feed that helps birds to maintain their energy levels and keep them warm during the frosty nights. Start with small amounts and keep the rest in the refrigerator. It may take a while for the birds to start eating regularly.
• Wild Wings Nectar mix is available in powder form (just add water) and is preferable to ready-made mixes and will ensure that the nectar in the feeder is always as fresh as possible. Do not add any red dye, including that found in food colouring. The dye is potentially toxic to birds.
• Fruit should not be placed on the ground or put loosely on feeding tables. Only put out as much fruit as birds will eat in a day or two because fruit spoils easily. Apples and pawpaw are  favoured by bulbuls, barbets, starlings, and mousebirds while White-eyes like softer fruit including avocado and banana.
• Water is essential for birds so keep a fresh supply for drinking and bathing.

Placing feeders

The location of feeders should meet the needs of birds as well as your need to see them. Birds will use feeders that feel safe, are easy to see and are convenient for them and at the same time, you should be able to see them easily, from the patio or through a window.

Safe: Feeders should be out of reach of cats and dogs, and should be close to shelter (trees, shrubs) for a fast retreat. A feeder can be very close to a window so that the birds don’t hit the window or some distance away (about 12m)  so that they can avoid  the window. Birds may also feel safer in a quiet place away from a play area, garage or walkway.

Visible: The easier a feeder is for birds to see, the more likely it will attract them. A good option is an open, sunny area which also allows them to keep a watch for predators.

Convenient: Birds gravitate to where their natural food source is, so place the feeder as close as possible to their normal hangouts For instance, nectar feeders near aloes and other winter flowers, and suet feeders near trees or on strong branches to attract barbets. Also consider that birds will shy away from overcrowded feeders. Rather spread the feeders throughout the garden, so that there is space for everyone.

https://www.kirchhoffs.co.za/2022/03/07/were-for-the-birds/