Christmas Menu

My Christmas dinner for the birds is ready. Feeding them in winter is a fun thing to do and makes a huge difference to the well-being of the birds in your garden. In some weather conditions it could well be the difference between surviving winter and starvation. It’s not threateningly cold on my French mountain as yet, but I have prepared myself. Not least because I have more talent for preparing Christmas dinners for birds than for people.⠀
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So be creative! There are lots of options for good foodstuffs. And even if you don't want that for yourself, make sure the food for the birds is as calorific as possible: seeds, nuts and fat are best of all!⠀
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Below a few do’s and don’ts to get you going!⠀

You may wonder what and how to feed the birds in your garden and whether there's anything to avoid. Whatever you prepare: make sure it's fresh.

DO’s

• black sunflower seeds

• sunflower hearts (the husked kernels) if you don’t want a mess

• nyjer seeds

• peanuts

A home-made fat ball.

In case you buy them from a shop in nylon mesh bags, always remove the bag as it can trap and injure birds!

• Mix melted fat (suet or lard) with a mixture of ingredients such as seeds, nuts, dried fruit and oatmeal.

• Stir well and allow it to set in a shape of your choice (I used paper muffin cups)

• Also empty coconut shells make great bird feeders!
  

DON’Ts

• Don’t feed fat balls in nylon mesh bags as it can trap and injure birds.

• Don’t use fat from cooking. Often meat juices blend with the fat: a breeding ground for bacteria. Salt may also have been used when cooking, bad for the birds!

• Don’t use margarines or vegetable oils. Unlike us, birds really need high levels of saturated fat (suet and lard) to keep them warm. Soft vegetable oils and margarines can destroy the waterproofing and insulating qualities of their feathers.