Just a quick note to remind you to look after your local wildlife this winter. Stop and think before you throw scraps of food in the bin; birds enjoy rice, nuts, beans and other treats that will not perish quickly. Please keep feeding surfaces clean by way of a non-harmful anti-septic solution. If you want to purchase ground foods, look to buy oily seeds (Nyjer, for example) and fatty suet pellets, as the high calorie content will help stave off extended periods of hunger. Place a bowl of clean water in your garden each and every morning. Animals not only require hydration, they also need to keep fur and feathers clean to ensure adequate insulation. Perhaps you could create an emergency shelter for ground critters. A cardboard box full of straw and/or ripped up newspapers will provide excellent bedding materials and temporary shelter during adverse weather. Britain's wildlife is suffering, so please do your best to stem this erosion. If we do not act collectively, future generations may not enjoy the privilege of our natural wonders. Cheers, P.
Nice thread Ponders Last week I was driving through Orpington , when I noticed a large gathering of people literally standing in the road. I assumed a pedestrian car accident, and as there was a traffic jam building, got out to see what the fuss was about. There, laying stricken in the road, hit by a car, was not a human but a huge adult badger. The last time I saw a living creature looking so helpless and pitiful was Neil Etheridge in goal for us at Watford last season. By this stage around 25 people had circled it, and were discussing what to do. It is well known that the badger carries a considerable bite. I had to depart, but in driving past the same spot an hour later, both badger and crowd had departed, although sadly there was a huge pool of blood still in the road. It is amazing to think that we have these beautiful wild creatures living alongside us in urban areas.
The problem is feeding the birds and making sure the squirrels don't get it all, or the pigeons. Even the squirrel-proof feeders don't always work. The squirrel at Forrest hill realised he could shake it and then eat the food from the ground. I got one of those round ones and screwed it to a tree to make it stable, but he found he could take the top off and help himself. I tried wire to hold the top on, which he removed quite easily, and eventually had to use a G-clamp to hold the top on and that stopped him. However he realised where the bird food was kept and started gnawing through the shed door to get at it, so I had to bring it indoors and leave the shed door open. The Orpington squirrels don't have the same cunning.
FHB: I'm storing the feed in one of those plastic storage units, the sort you can keep in your garden for outdoor toys etc. It has a lock and is totally squirrel-proof, but, having said, I always ensure there is enough sustenance available to keep the little blighters busy. I recently bought some new feeders from a reserve near Layer de la Haye (near to the lakes where the Dambusters practised), and they are working out just fine. As for the pigeons and doves, I've created their own haven away from the communal feeding ground; large peanuts and a rich seed mix seems to keep them happy. Vol: Such a shame to hear about the badger. Early morning drives are becoming a source of ever increasing heartbreak. And I'm sorry to hear you had to drive through Orpington.
When the M25 is bad I have to drive through Orpington on the way home I am fortunate to have central locking and I can call the rescue services from within the car if I have any problems , but, I have been advised not to leave the car in the event of the car breaking down plus (most importantly) I was told NOT to offer the Orpington wildlife food during daylight hours.
I always leave food out for the birds, because I like to see all the different species. Like others I had terrible trouble with the pesky squirrel nicking the seeds and nuts. I tried all types of containers but he would break into them or chew through them. Eventually i found one he could neither chew or get into except the lid was a weak link. So I put a length of studding through the feeder and secured the lid with a stainless steel nut. The bastard broke into my garage, nicked a13mm spanner and undone it................... I might have made up that last bit !
