Snow that is sweeping the country is not only causing havoc for humans…it could be impacting birds too! A blanket of snow and ice is making it hard for birds to find natural foods.

Last winter was the coldest in the UK for 12 years and heavy snowfall in February 2009 caused chaos across the UK. Now, however, we are amidst the longest period of freezing weather since 1981 and birds, as well as people, could be suffering. As natural foods become harder to find, food provided by householders might be essential to the survival of some birds. Results from BTO Garden BirdWatch demonstrate that during heavy snow last February the abundance of ground feeding species, such as Chaffinch, peaked in gardens as they utilised food that was provided.

Ground feeding species can find it almost impossible to find food under the snow and ice. Providing ground-up peanuts and seeds, finely grated cheese and suet, and chunks of fresh fruit (e.g. apples and pears) can help these species during this difficult time.

Other birds will be struggling too and providing a wide selection of food will attract a wider variety of birds and perhaps rarer species, such as Redwing, Fieldfare and Brambling. Smaller species, such as Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and Wren, will favour high calorie fat-based foods, an alternative to their insectivorous diet that may help them through the worst of the weather.

All birds in gardens will benefit from water in bird baths being defrosted and replaced with clean, fresh water for drinking and bathing. During freezing conditions it is even more important to keep insulating feathers in tip-top condition.

As Dr Tim Harrison, Garden BirdWatch Development Officer at the BTO, commented “Winter feeding has been shown to increase survival rates of many different species of birds across the world. In Blue Tit such feeding can even have a positive influence on breeding success in the following spring. Therefore, by providing the right kind of foods in gardens now, householders could help birds in both the short and long term.”

He added “If snow has kept you closer to home than you had anticipated recently, why not cast an eye out of your window and watch the birds in your garden. Around 15,000 participants in BTO Garden BirdWatch do just that throughout the year and are currently providing a vital insight into the use of gardens by birds during severe winter weather.”