Our garden birds - Harsh winter weather can spell doom

[MsAnneThrope]

What can I do? I live in an apartment with no garden and a balcony overlooking the Lee in Cork city.

We get seagulls and every so often little birds (maybe thrush or something)...is there anyway I could attract birds to my balcony to feed them or is that possible?

You can Sarah, no problem. But if you are renting the apartment check the small print on your contract to make sure it's not forbidden.

Here's a good site (American I think, but same principles apply) called: Life On The Balcony - 'Winter Container Gardening…for the Birds'

Don't forget to provide drinking water also, and/or maybe even a small birdbath. Only danger is if you have large glass windows there's a risk the birds will crash into it. There are sensible steps to prevent this, don't worry. See: The Wildlife Porch - 12 Ways to Avoid Birds Crashing into Windows

Good luck with the feeding. It will bring you hours of enjoyment, especially when the babies fledge and come to your feeders in a couple of months' time

[sarahj]

You can Sarah, no problem. But if you are renting the apartment check the small print on your contract to make sure it's not forbidden.

Here's a good site (American I think, but same principles apply) called: Life On The Balcony - 'Winter Container Gardening…for the Birds'

Don't forget to provide drinking water also, and/or maybe even a small birdbath. Only danger is if you have large glass windows there's a risk the birds will crash into it. There are sensible steps to prevent this, don't worry. See: The Wildlife Porch - 12 Ways to Avoid Birds Crashing into Windows

Good luck with the feeding. It will bring you hours of enjoyment, especially when the babies fledge and come to your feeders in a couple of months' time

Thanks very much. I know this sounds like a silly question, but do I need to buy seed or can I use the sunflower/pumpkin/linseeds I already have for myself? Also could I just leave some water or do I need to have food with the water?

(Sorry for being so uneducated, I am interested but ignorant!)

[Baron von Biffo]

Thanks very much. I know this sounds like a silly question, but do I need to buy seed or can I use the sunflower/pumpkin/linseeds I already have for myself? Also could I just leave some water or do I need to have food with the water?

(Sorry for being so uneducated, I am interested but ignorant!)

Many birds love sunflower seeds. The black type being more popular than the striped variety which has a harder husk and less oil.

Being in an apartment you might want to go for sunflower hearts to avoid the mess of discarded husks. You could also buy a proprietary 'No husk' or 'No Mess' seed mix from a pet shop.

As an experiment I put straight linseed in a feeder but it was a slow mover. Of pumpkin seeds I know nothing.

I put up a niger seed feeder recently in the hope of attracting goldfinches but it attracted loads of redpolls and siskins instead.

A wide variety of song birds like peanuts which can be bought by the kilo in pet shops. Just be sure to dispense them from a proper mesh feeder.

[sarahj]

Many birds love sunflower seeds. The black type being more popular than the striped variety which has a harder husk and less oil.

Being in an apartment you might want to go for sunflower hearts to avoid the mess of discarded husks. You could also buy a proprietary 'No husk' or 'No Mess' seed mix from a pet shop.

As an experiment I put straight linseed in a feeder but it was a slow mover. Of pumpkin seeds I know nothing.

I put up a niger seed feeder recently in the hope of attracting goldfinches but it attracted loads of redpolls and siskins instead.

A wide variety of song birds like peanuts which can be bought by the kilo in pet shops. Just be sure to dispense them from a proper mesh feeder.

K so I'm still confused. No seeds I'm gonna throw out are gonna kill them anyway? I'm pretty sure that was the gyst of your message but just making sure, don't wanna be caught up in ornithocide when I'm trying to help!

Also, to clarify, I only need a feeder for peanuts? Or do I need one for all seeds too?

[MsAnneThrope]

Thanks very much. I know this sounds like a silly question, but do I need to buy seed or can I use the sunflower/pumpkin/linseeds I already have for myself? Also could I just leave some water or do I need to have food with the water?

(Sorry for being so uneducated, I am interested but ignorant!)

You can use the seed you already have, but it's best to have them in a meshed feeder secured to your balcony. Otherwise you may find them gone very quickly, especially if feral pigeons or magpies, for example, spot your new hobby! You can get feeders for a couple of euro in most petshops and some supermarkets. You should only put out peanuts in meshed feeders as birds will choke on them, or choke their babies while feeding them. And please never feed salted peanuts (like KP nuts, or other salty/spiced food like crisps or bombay mix) as it will poison them. Garden/urban birds cannot process salt.

You can leave water on its own too but don't expect too many visitors as there would be plenty of other areas, natural and manmade, in and around Cork City for birds to get drinking and bathing water. But if you did have a wee birdbath only with fresh, clean water on your balcony, and you're lucky enough to find a willing feathered bather near your apartment building, that in itself is a sight to behold too. The real fun is in the feeding though and attracting as many species as possible. They all have their own behaviour and habits. Just like people I suppose

There are some great tips in this thread (admittedly quite long now) but try have a quick skim through it from the start if you can find time.

[sarahj]

You can use the seed you already have, but it's best to have them in a meshed feeder secured to your balcony. Otherwise you may find them gone very quickly, especially if feral pigeons or magpies, for example, spot your new hobby! You can get feeders for a couple of euro in most petshops and some supermarkets. You should only put out peanuts in meshed feeders as birds will choke on them, or choke their babies while feeding them. And please never feed salted peanuts (like KP nuts, or other salty/spiced food like crisps or bombay mix) as it will poison them. Garden/urban birds cannot process salt.

You can leave water on its own too but don't expect too many visitors as there would be plenty of other areas, natural and manmade, in and around Cork City for birds to get drinking and bathing water. But if you did have a wee birdbath only with fresh, clean water on your balcony, and you're lucky enough to find a willing feathered bather near your apartment building, that in itself is a sight to behold too. The real fun is in the feeding though and attracting as many species as possble. They all have their own behaviour and habits. Just like people I suppose

There are some great tips in this thread (admittedly quite long now) but try have a quick skim through it from the start if you can find time.

Thanks very much for all the advice. I threw out some pumpkin and sunflower seeds (unsalted of course) and a little bowl of water, which I wouldn't have done had I not spotted this thread. Also I will invest in a bird feeder - pick one up tomorrow.

Cheers guys!

[Baron von Biffo]

K so I'm still confused. No seeds I'm gonna throw out are gonna kill them anyway? I'm pretty sure that was the gyst of your message but just making sure, don't wanna be caught up in ornithocide when I'm trying to help!

Also, to clarify, I only need a feeder for peanuts? Or do I need one for all seeds too?

Have no fears, so you wont be dragged kicking and screaming to the pillories for crimes against feathered kind.

You don't need a feeder for seeds as the birds will gladly take them off a table or even the ground. Feeders will confine the dining to the smaller birds though. Pigeons, jackdaws, etc will be happy to take anything tasty they can get at from the ground or an open table.

[sarahj]

Have no fears, so you wont be dragged kicking and screaming to the pillories for crimes against feathered kind.

You don't need a feeder for seeds as the birds will gladly take them off a table or even the ground. Feeders will confine the dining to the smaller birds though. Pigeons, jackdaws, etc will be happy to take anything tasty they can get at from the ground or an open table.

Phew!!! Cheers Baron!

[MsAnneThrope]

Thanks very much for all the advice. I threw out some pumpkin and sunflower seeds (unsalted of course) and a little bowl of water, which I wouldn't have done had I not spotted this thread. Also I will invest in a bird feeder - pick one up tomorrow.

Cheers guys!

A small tray, with just an inch of water or so, might be easier for the birds than a bowl, and there's no risk of drowning. Whatever vessel you put out just make sure it's shallow and their feet can safely touch the bottom. Change the water regularly too and if cleaning the tray/bowl (and feeders, which you should do every 1-2 weeks) be sure any disinfectant is thoroughly rinsed off before putting them back out.

Be patient too Sarah. It might take a few days before your feast is discovered. But once they learn they'll continue to come back. That's why feeders are a better idea because if you need to go away for a few days or even a week, they won't suffer the stress of finding their food source gone had you been just throwing out food on the ground. Have fun and keep us posted on the first visitors

[Baron von Biffo]

A small tray, with just an inch of water or so, might be easier for the birds than a bowl, and there's no risk of drowning. Whatever vessel you put out just make sure it's shallow and their feet can safely touch the bottom.

As a temporary measure during the hard weather I used a painters tray - the type used with paint rollers. They are shallow at one end and slope down to a deeper reservoir. Quick, cheap and functional. A bit like meself