Our garden birds - Harsh winter weather can spell doom

[beanie]

Warm water could even make them warmer?

What are the best places to put it? Are there different habits depending on the birds?

As far as i know, there are no special habits regarding water, a flat tray an inch or two high is ideal, if its too deep they can't get it. On the ground is best, blackbirds, robins and trush are ground feeders, and their natural supply is generally ground level.

[beanie]

Warm water freezes quicker than cold?

My feeling is that since we put hot water in the sheep's water buckets it keeps in liquid state longer.

Hhm.

Something to do with tiny gas bubbles being disolved in the process of heating water, The absence of these gasses causes it to freeze faster. I'll find a link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect

[teapot]

Warm water freezes quicker than cold?

My feeling is that since we put hot water in the sheep's water buckets it keeps in liquid state longer.

Hhm.

Hhm indeed - if I get up termorrer while it's still cold (I try not to, but for science...) I will do an experiment, out there in me dressing gown, and report back. You will have to have faith in my integrity. Seriously, when making skating rinks, which Irish may have to learn to do in future years as global warming brings more ice, one floods the rink with warm water which thaws the surface but rapidly freezes to form a smooth skating surface. In deference to your sheep-bucket experience, this would not happen, as the bucket is not freezing cold and probably has a degree of warmth in it's walls due to having been out of sub-zero temperatures to allow a water tap to run to fill it, eh?. In the case of the rink, the cold strikes the hot water from below and above and freezes it. Thasa fact.

The Belfast Giants are a hockey team (on ice) with no noticeable ethnic, religious, or sectarian connections. WOW!!! and they freeze their rink with hot water. They are one of the few, if only, sports teams on this Island that you can cheer for without your neighbour knowing which church you go to, or how you vote...hard to believe, eh?

We got here from feeding birds via a glass or two of vino tinto... G'night.

[Lightning Rod]

A young sparrowhawk came a hunting today, he left hungry.

[Andrew49]

Don't, please DON'T, feed the birds anything with chocolate in it. Chocolate is a toxic substance. Chocolate poisoning first affects a bird's digestive system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition progresses, the bird's central nervous system is affected, first causing seizures and eventually death.

Apple Seeds
Believe it or not, apples - along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches, apricots, and pears - contain trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds.

Avocado
The skin and pit of this popular fruit had been known to cause cardiac distress and eventual heart failure in pet bird species.

Onions
While the use of limited amounts of onion or garlic powders as flavorings is generally regarded as acceptable, excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.

Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and have been known to cause digestive upset in companion birds. Caps and stems of some varieties can induce liver failure.

Caffeine
Caffeinated beverages such as soda, coffee, and tea are popular among people - but allowing your bird to indulge in these drinks can be extremely hazardous. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds, and is associated with increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyperactivity, and cardiac arrest.

Dried Beans
Cooked beans are a favorite treat of many birds, but raw, dry bean mixes can be extremely harmful to your pet. Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds. To avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your bird.

[beanie]

These Bird Food Recipes will Attract Wild Birds and Save You Money

[imokyrok]

I'm finding it very difficult to keep ice free areas on my garden pond. The usual trick of floating balls is of no use when ice is an inch and half thick and it takes several kettles to melt a foot square area which lasts no length of time. Probably my fish haven't survived anyway but I wondered if anyone knows some tip I'm unaware of.

[beanie]

I'm finding it very difficult to keep ice free areas on my garden pond. The usual trick of floating balls is of no use when ice is an inch and half thick and it takes several kettles to melt a foot square area which lasts no length of time. Probably my fish haven't survived anyway but I wondered if anyone knows some tip I'm unaware of.

Is there any form of a pump you couls use to keep the water moving, something along the lines of the little motorised part in waterfeatures, not sure what could be done with it. Might not be strong enough to make any difference.

[imokyrok]

There is a small pump in the pond but apparently this would actually result in the dispersal of the surface cold water down to the warmer water at the bottom where hopefully the fish might be surviving dormant. The pond is 3 x 3m by 1 I/2 m deep. I'm not sure if the oxygen content of the water under the ice will sustain them.

[beanie]

There is a small pump in the pond but apparently this would actually result in the dispersal of the surface cold water down to the warmer water at the bottom where hopefully the fish might be surviving dormant. The pond is 3 x 3m by 1 I/2 m deep. I'm not sure if the oxygen content of the water under the ice will sustain them.

Would covering it help?
Before hand melt the ice, if you can get to a co-op get a heatlamp to slowly thaw it/warm it, then use the pump to oxygenate it and cover it at night. You could also try placing hotwater bottles on top of the ice. Not sure if this would work.
Hope they survive.