How To Care For The Birds In Autumn (Part 2) – Notes From Boyd

Carrying on from where I left off last month... With nesting season a thing of the past, autumn is the

perfect time to clean out the bird boxes, repair any damage and get them ready for spring. Even boxes that haven't supported a brood need a check over to ensure they are in good condition. Open them, clear out debris carefully and use a special cleaner/disinfectant for wildlife to clean into the cracks and crevices. Get the box ready for early spring nests now, it allows time for the box to be accepted by the birds and can also be used for roosting by many garden bird species. Mend any damage, seal cracks and oil hinges. Line the box with fresh, dry moss or dried, autumn leaves and put them back up ready for spring. Be sure to face the entrance away from the prevailing wind and, if not already fitted, fit metal guards to the entrance holes to prevent predators from gnawing the wood to gain access. Angle the box slightly so that any rainwater falls away, rather than into the nesting area.

Don't neglect to provide your garden birds with a fresh, clean source of drinking and bathing water. Even in cold, icy conditions, birds need to drink and bathe. A birdbath is a good choice, replenish the water daily especially in freezing weather, or provide a water drinker that hangs with your feeders. Keep your birdbath and drinkers hygienically clean using a dedicated wildlife disinfectant to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease. Position your water source in a safe, open spot so that predators can't prey on the birds while they are drinking and bathing. Provide several watering places at different levels to cater for a wide variety of bird species and their varying needs. Make sure you can view them from a window of the house and then stand back and enjoy the spectacle, it's better than a soap opera and a great way to lift the spirits.

Many creatures fatten themselves up on the bounty of summer so that they can survive over winter on their belly fat and achieve the suspended animation state of hibernation for the winter. Birds live for the moment, feeding on whatever is available to maintain their body weight and survive each day to face the next. It's a tough life and many don't make it through the winter. So if you're feeling peckish... give a moments thought to your feathered friends and treat them to a little Peckish Bird Food!