"Today, one of the biggest impacts that we are seeing on children who don't get outside and connect with nature is that they are having a sedentary experience and spending large portions of their time isolated in front of a screen. Getting out in nature provides lots of opportunities to feel connected with their environment but also to play, which is an essential component to children feeling happy and healthy." - Emma Kenny, psychologist and television presenter
Learning doesn't have to be boring! There is so much that we can enjoy, teach and learn right here on our doorsteps. Children are instinctively curious, and birds have so much information to learn about - the names of them, the different colours and shapes.
If you are wanting to entice more birds into your garden, help them by giving them a home and providing a new learning experience for the children, at Yorkshire Trading we have a lot of Wild Bird Care items to choose from!
The bird care breeding season is now well under way and we will or very soon be seeing results from nesting boxes put up or built in the winter. You may even discover a nest you never knew was in your garden built by birds themselves in the hedges and other hiding places.
It is essential during bird nesting season (February-September) that birds nest are not disturbed, it is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It will be an intentional act, for example, if you or your neighbour know there is an active nest in the hedge and still cut the hedge, damaging or destroying the nest in the process.
How to Care for Baby Birds
There are three stages in a baby bird’s growth: hatchling, nestling and fledgling and it’s easy to spot the differences. Hatchling birds are bald, nestlings are partially feathered and fledglings are fully feathered and hopping around although not quite ready to fly. It takes on average 9/10 days for the development from hatchling to a fledgling.
It is common and expected to see fledgling birds on the ground; they have left the nest to hop around for a few days and build up the muscles necessary for flight.
If you find a fledgling baby bird out of its nest, it is crucial that don’t pick it up or bring it indoors. Although people mean well by “rescuing” the baby birds they find, in almost all cases, the parents are nearby and know best how to care for their young. Taking them away from their parents at this point in their lives will do more harm than good, if you intervene it may cause the mother to reject the baby, causing risk and pain to both.
Removal of a fledgling from the wild reduces its chances of long-term survival to a small fraction, the only exception is when you can see they are injured, definitely been abandoned or in a location with exposed danger such as being on a busy road.
A Robin Fledging
If the young bird is un-feathered or covered in fluffy down (a nestling) and has obviously fallen out of a nest by accident, it may be possible to put it back. Only do this if you are sure which nest the chick came from, and if it appears strong and healthy. Sometimes parent birds sense that there is something wrong with one of their chicks, or that it is dying, and they will eject it out of the nest so they can concentrate on looking after the healthy ones.
If a healthy chick cannot be returned to its nest, it will be dependent on humans for survival, and should be passed on to an expert rehabilitator as soon as possible.
How to Help Feed in the Spring
Although it is a lot easier than the winter for birds to find food, in warmer months birds will still be grateful for extra treats, as many are busy raising their young. The RSPB recommends little and often softer foods would be more ideal. Additionally, if you generally feed birds by leaving food on the ground make sure you moisten the earth, as eating off the hard ground may damage their beaks.
If you are in the situation that you are helping to care for a fledgling, don't ever force water down their throats, most who do this actually drown the bird.
Baby birds do not actually drink water, the adults do not bring water to the nest. It comes from the insects or fruit they eat.
For adult birds water is particularly important in dry, hot weather during the summer when water can be hard to find.
]]>The winter months are especially tough on birds, by providing them with a clean water source and food to eat, you’ll not only enjoy seeing far more of them attracted to your garden, but you’ll also be helping them survive and thrive at a time when their natural resources are being threatened.
]]>The winter months are especially tough on birds, by providing them with a clean water source and food to eat, you’ll not only enjoy seeing far more of them attracted to your garden, but you’ll also be helping them survive and thrive at a time when their natural resources are being threatened.
With just a little time and effort, it is quite simple to create a bird friendly garden. It is known that house sparrow and blackbirds are decreasing in numbers but by making your garden a haven for birds you can help be a part in the reverse of that decline.
Just like all living creatures, the main items we need to survive are; food, water and shelter. For us its easy during the winter months to stay in our houses and go to the local shop for groceries, but for birds who largely depend on the outdoors, during the winter months this is particularly difficult when these resources dwindle. It is important, however that if you are going to open your back garden to birds, remember birds are quick learners and it won’t take long for them to grow accustomed to your generosity. It’s important to continue providing them with food and water even throughout the summer months when they need the energy for being a lot more active.
Not all birds are the same, like you and me they will have different tastes. Everything from the food you serve to the feeders you serve it in will vary depending on the species of bird. Our new Chapelwood range have a number of different style bird feeders, suitable from beginners to the advanced wild bird carer. Suet is known to be a substitute for natural fat, which is not only difficult to find in colder months but, upon consumption, provides the majority of birds with the calories and energy they need to survive the harsh winter elements.
Consider where you will locate your feeder. They should be positioned approximately 8-10 feet away from shrubbery where predators may hide. They should also be placed in a sheltered area that’s less exposed to harsh weather, strong winds and strong UV rays from the sun. It is vital that the feeders are regularly cleaned and refilled with fresh food frequently to prevent any bacteria and possible diseases that can be passed on to birds.
There are many different types of feed to choose from; sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet, mealworms and much more. If you would like to an attract a wide range of birds to your garden, providing a variety of foods and multiple feeders will quicklyfulfil your garden. We have a wide variety of food and treats from Chapelwood, Dawn Chorus and Gardman for you to choose from.
Finding fresh, unfrozen water can be even more difficult for birds than finding food during winter. A bird bath or water drinker in your garden can help ensure birds have a reliable source of water for drinking and bathing – which is essential to help them keep their feathers clean for flying.
Yorkshire Trading carry all the supplies a family needs to attract wild birds in their backyard. Encourage your young ones to become involved in nature with the novelty feeders we have and paint your own nest boxes, making it educational and creative all in one go!
View Our Extensive Range of Bird Care By Clicking Here
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