Households across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to make a simple festive sacrifice this Christmas: leaving the cranberries off their dinner plates. Instead, experts urge people to offer this seasonal berry to the birds visiting their gardens.
Festive Feast for Feathered Friends
With forecasts predicting cold and frosty conditions over the holiday period, garden birds will struggle to find food as the ground hardens. Maria Kincaid, the in-house ornithologist at bird feed specialist FeatherSnap, suggests using leftover festive foods to "tantalise their taste buds" and give wildlife a vital boost.
"Whilst we may not get snow this Christmas time, we can expect our gardens to be cold and frosty over the festive period and the hard ground makes food hard to come by for our garden birds," Kincaid explained. She recommends preparing simple, bird-safe treats inspired by Christmas dishes, rather than simply scattering leftovers.
What to Serve and What to Avoid
Not all Christmas fare is suitable for avian appetites. Kincaid provides clear guidance on what makes a safe and healthy bird treat.
Foods to avoid include:
- Christmas cake and mince pies: These often contain alcohol and excessive sugar, which are harmful to birds.
- Bubble and squeak: The traditional Boxing Day dish made from leftover sprouts and potatoes should be avoided due to its high sodium content from added salt.
"You generally want to give birds unsalted foods," Kincaid emphasised. Plain, unsalted nuts and dried fruits from the Christmas pantry are a much better option.
Keeping Pests Away from Your Feeder
In a previous winter warning, Kincaid shared ingenious tips for deterring squirrels and other pests, ensuring food reaches the birds. One surprising method involves a common household waste product.
"Try spreading a layer of used coffee grounds on the area around the base of your feeder," she advised. "Squirrels and other pests don't like the strong smell of coffee, so it may deter them." As a bonus, the decomposing grounds enrich garden soil.
For feeder placement, she advocates the "5-7-9 rule" to outsmart agile squirrels. Position the feeder five feet off the ground, seven feet away from any structure like a fence, and nine feet clear of overhanging branches they could leap from.
By making these small adjustments and sharing suitable festive foods like cranberries, UK residents can ensure their gardens remain a welcoming haven for wildlife throughout the challenging winter season.
