At university you don’t have your own garden where you can support local wildlife, and that can be quite a loss for those who like to be involved with nature. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t support wildlife while away from home. We’ve put together a blog on how you can do this from your own window, with detail on what you can get out of it and practical tips for having bird feeders attached to your window.
By Vrinda Bajaj
Growing up in London, there wasn’t much chance for me to see wildlife. Sure, we might have had pigeons or the occasional fox but other than that it was difficult to enjoy nature at its best. That is, until I started keeping bird-feeders in my garden. After that I could spend ages sat the window watching robins, blue tits, and other wild birds flitting around the garden. After moving into accommodation at York I decided that I miss their company and decided to invest in some window bird feeders.
Why should I bother?
Natural habitat and food sources are scarce for these creatures, and even by hanging out one or two feeders you would be helping many birds survive difficult months. There is something so fulfilling seeing birds fly to your window every morning and enjoy the food you keep out for them. Not only that, but if you have pets at home who you miss, caring for other animals in the meantime is extremely comforting. There is no better feeling than studying on your desk in your room and hearing chirping from your window from two or three little birds who came for some dinner.
Types of bird-feeders:
At this point you might wonder how I am able to keep bird-feeders on campus, and the answer to that is that I use bird-feeders designed for use on windows! There are different types of bird feeders available — hanging feeders, suet feeders, and bird tables are the most popular types and are all able to be placed outside a window. I find that it is better to have different types out since many species struggle to use only one type. You can get specific feeders for specific types of food: a peanut feeder uses mesh wiring close together to prevent smaller birds from choking on the bigger pieces, and suet feeders use wiring that is not as compact to allow birds to reach in further. Bird tables can be used for seed mixes or any of the above.
The bird tables I own use suction cups to stay secure on glass, and the hanging feeders use larger suction cups but with hooks. If that doesn’t sound reliable, then don’t worry, I have some tips to help ensure that nothing ever falls off. These types of bird feeders are widely available; I used amazon, but you can reliably find them in shops like Home Bargains, B&M and B&Q (B&Q is a 10 minute walk from Campus East).
Types of food:
It’s a good idea to keep more than one type of food outside, as different species enjoy different things. Birds go nuts for peanuts. If you want a successful bird station, then definitely buy some high energy peanut kernels since most species of birds love them! Don’t use peanuts or seeds meant for humans though, since the high salt content can harm their little bodies.
You can buy seed mixes for use in seed hangers or tables. These are especially important as they provide a balanced diet. They can come in many different mixes but look for ones that include black sunflower or Niger seeds if possible. There is also the option of buying individual seed types and mixing them yourself which ensures a better quality mix but might be more expensive. If you prefer to buy a few select types of seed rather than a mix, you can choose whether you would like seeds with the husk on or off. The husk is the hard-outer shell which you can find on seeds like sunflower which the birds have to break own with their beaks first, and it can easily cause a mess.
Suet balls are balls of fat filled with seeds and other treats which are very important for keeping birds warm in the winter seasons especially. They are extremely popular and very easy to find in stores. As with the bird feeders, these options are all available in B&Q or through online delivery services.
Something to note with all of this is to try and keep a water source available if you can. Not only do birds struggle to find clean water regularly but it helps attract them to your feeders too.
Some advice, tips and warnings
• Birds are creatures of habit. You might find that it takes a while for them to start coming to your window, but don’t be disheartened. They will start coming, maybe if its only one to begin with. Just remember to have patience, because once they see the food you put out and know its safe, they’ll come to you regularly
• Once you have an established station, try your best to keep everything clean. This means emptying out wet, moldy or stale food (especially peanuts) and washing the feeders with soap. Replace water every day, and prevent food from spoiling. A regular supply of clean food and water prevents diseases from spreading and harming birds.
• Something else to keep in mind is that food isn’t just helpful in winter months, but all year round so don’t stop once the weather warms up.
We wish you the best of luck with your bird feeders, and keep your eye out on our Facebook page as we are in the process of planning a birdseed workshop for our gardening club!
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