Cold weather and birds

Good point TDA.  If you start doing it you must keep doing it until the big thaw. We break the ice on the pond a couple of times a day and the birds seem to enjoy it.

By the same token, if you do feed the birds you must continue to do so, if you stop it could induce starvation.

In science many years ago, we did a freeze test with hot and cold water the hot water freezes first, and yes we do put feed down and water.

Don't matter how you do it, whatever works for you and the birdies! We put out a lot of those nest pockets as well, often have wrens and tits sheltering in them. Anything that helps

We always provide plenty of food but neglect the frozen water TDA.

I will have to keep an eye on the water, thanks for the reminder.

PS

We have a woodpecker on the feeder at this moment.

Lucky you Nevers. It sometimes fetches more unusual birds to feed at tables. We are hoping our little Nuthatch puts in a visit!

I've  taken  to  emptying  the  bird bath  at  dusk  to  avoid  it  freezing,  but  the  feeders  get  re-filled  at  the  same  time  so  there's  food  available  for  the  early  birds  --  which  I  certainly  ain't  in  this  weather !!

I float a polystyrene ball in the birdbath ,tends to stop the water freezing ,as it constantly moves unless it is really cold 

I normally find that there is water available on a manhole cover adjacent to one of our feeders as the relative warmth of the manhole chamber beneath tends to thaw any snow quickly and be less prone to freezing

Had some Redwings visit this afternoon on some apples that we cut in quarters and put out. Don't like doing that so often as it can bring them to the attention of the local Sparrowhawk. But even they have to eat.

It's important to try to clean the birdbath or watering hole as well as unfortunately some of the feathered ones do not have the best toilet training!

Timely reminder ttda, I have been out every morning topping up the feeders and making sure unfrozen water available.  Don't get many unusual birds but at least I can keep the few that come well fed.