Where have all the blackbirds gone?

Are you bird friendly letting insects thrive, growing berried shrubs and trees and leaving a natural area in your garden? If so then you know the way to attract more birds into your garden is via the birds appetite.
I have been encouraged by the sight of Redwings and Fieldflares during this snowy winter gobbling up the many berries in the garden. The first to go were these Viburnum followed before Christmas by the Holly berries which never seem to last on the trees until Christmas.
Perhaps the birds are attracted by the red colouring because Crab apple Red Sentinel is also pecked to death later on in winter. The Redwings were the gross feeders on my Cotoneasters but there is still a snack or two left for the next snowfall. The Pyracantha are well sorted probably by Thrushes but I never seem to catch them eating.

If you want to give birds a supplementary feed then high energy foods are best in winter. It is no use feeding something that needs a lot of energy to consume so Sunflower hearts, crushed Peanuts, Fat balls, Nyjer seed and even raisins are popular.

My blackbirds like apples, mealworms and scratting about in the soil.

For more information on trees, shrubs and climbers to attract birds read web page or the following books.

DIY Ideas and Advice from BBC Wales

To help attract more birds have a go at making bird feeders:
• Cut a hole in the side large enough to allow a free flow of seeds, but in such a way that it won’t all fall out on the ground in the slightest puff of wind, and won’t get wet if it rains.
• Make a few small holes in the bottom of your feeder to allow any rainwater to drain away.
• Hang it with wire, or even strong string from a tree or your washing line.
• If your feeder starts to wear out or the food in it goes mouldy, recycle it and make another one!
Remember to keep your feeders well stocked, especially in winter too as birds come to rely on them and will go hungry if you forget.

Feeling peckish? Try making the speedy bird cake:

Things you’ll need: Good quality bird seed, raisins, peanuts, grated cheese, suet or lard, yoghurt pot, string, mixing bowl, scissors.
• Carefully make a small hole in the bottom of a yoghurt pot. Thread string through the hole and tie a knot on the inside. Leave enough string so that you can tie the pot to a tree or your bird table.
• Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature, but don’t melt it. Then cut it up into small pieces and put it in the mixing bowl.
• Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your finger tips. Keep adding the seed/raisin/cheese mixture and squidging it until the fat holds it all together.
• Fill your yoghurt pots with bird cake mixture and put them in the fridge to set for an hour or so.
• Hang your speedy bird cakes from trees or your bird table. Watch for greenfinches, tits and possibly even great spotted woodpeckers.

RSPB