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[Taz2]

I am afraid that rats can be attracted to the food Corky but in all the years I have been feeding them in my garden (35 years) I have never had any trouble with them. We have seen the odd one when the weather is cold and I frequently find a little mouse in the birdseed saucer if I fill them late at night but they seem to be fleeting visits.

Dando - as the weather is so cold the birds will probably be at their "normal" feeding stations where they are sure food will be. They will scout further afield if this supply runs out. It can also take a while for them to be sure of a new cafe! I am certain your food will have been spotted. Grated cheese is a must for Robins by the way - they love it - and sultanas or currants for the Blackbirds too.

Mine have been eating me out of house and home today. I found some uneaten mince pies (Mr Kipling) in the cupboard so they have enjoyed those together with the remains of last nights casserole and their normal breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. I had a poorly dove in the garden yesterday with the "tric" virus. When it was nearly dark it was sat in the snow and I thought that if it stayed there long enough I would be able to catch it. Just as I was getting my wellies on as dusk fell next door decided to slam their gate and it managed to fly up into the tree. It then flew away and I suppose it died during the night. 

Squirrels are partial-hibernators which is why they store up a supply of nuts during the autumn. They come out if the weather is very cold to have some grub - normally they don't find the nuts they hid though!

Taz x

[CLKD]

We had a family of rats over 10 years ago, Hubby put a stop to them.  Haven't seen any since despite having kept chickens close to the compost pins for 4 years.  Mice++ the chickens catch and eat those.

Milder today.  Didn't need to refresh the birds' water at all.  Water was running off the roofs and all evening we have heard the sound of snow falling off!  Freaky!

[Trey]

I have two bluebirds and a nuthatch trying to decide if my new bluebird nesting box suits them.  Also fiches galore.  Taz, I gather Niger seed is what we call thistle seed?  Ours comes in socks.  Oh, had one wren and a couple of Siskins and our brilliant, snooty, cardinals.  They know how beautiful they are, I'm sure.  I've been down with a horrid cold and love looking out my bedroom window.  It's so @#$% cold here - the southern coast no less - in the teens - record cold.  I dragged myself to the store to stock up on birdseed.  Happy to do it for the pleasure they give - no interest in suet it seems.  One odd squirrel one day only - glad for the hibernation explanation.

[CLKD]

Bluebirds  something we don't have in the UK.  Whoops, snow just fell off the tiles by the window  ... I have yet to go out the back, the birds at the front of the house are fed and watered following more snow int he early hours.  Hope your cold improves 

[Taz2]

Yes, Trey, Niger Seed is also called Thistle Seed here sometimes. Bluebirds sound lovely and the Cardinals sound great. Are your Siskins the same as ours? I have only got three this year so far and some years there have been upwards of 30 on the feeder. They did suffer last year but nobody is quite sure why.

Taz x

[dando]

Gosh, didn't realise the chickens would eat the mice.  That's great!  The birds here are having bacon fat tomorrow mornging with their seed.  I hope the little blighters appreciate it!

[Trey]

Hi Taz, I love this thread.
Our siskins are tiny - like tiny finches.  When we lived in the high Rocky Mtns. in Colorado we had siskins galore and one hit my kitchen window and I raced out to the snow - he was unconscious but his neck was not broken.  I held him to my chest until he was warm and then put him in a warm box for two hours and then held him some more and I heard a sweet quiet peep.  Held him a bit longer and he became active.  As much as I hated to let him go I took him out and opened my hand.  He flew to a nearby branch and stayed for an hour (it was mid day and warm in the sun) and then he flew off.  I've loved them since.  We had Grosbeaks who would constantly hit the window - think they got drunk on berries and I would constantly warm them and off they'd go.  I kept trying to remove the reflection and the box, but...............we had 41 varieties in Pagosa Springs, CO including the scarlet tanager - spectacular colors.  Here the cardinal and bluebird are the most colorful.  The bluebird with is bright blue and then the orange and white chest - sooooooooooo special. 

Went to store again today to get more food.  One heck of a cold spell in the south right now and our back yard looks like a moving carpet of birds and an occasional squirrel.

[CLKD]

in the UK we can buy black silohettes [sp] of birds to stick onto the inside of our windows.  It helps the birds see that there is glass in the way.  It doesn't stop them all but has cut down casualties.  If you look on the RSPB WEB-site you will see what I mean.  Maybe you could cut out black card and tape it on the vulnerable windosw?  [I am unable to type this morning  ]

We've had another half inch of snow overnight.  I have thrown out a scuttle full of mixed grain [scuttle?], live meal worms and some grated cheese.  Off to the shop to stock up on cheese and food stuff before walking to see the dog that usually comes to me in the day.  I may well stay at his, will take the NintendoDS and a book.  Although that means my birds here won't get fed for 4-5 hours .........

[Taz2]

We have had a further four inches overnight which, on top of the previous twelve inches plus the ice, is a bit tricky! I have swept the feeding areas clear for the birds and taken out their first breakfast. I have to now get the "old" chair and clear off the saucers of the seed feeders as it is blocking the first lot of holes. My sons and husband laugh at me having to climb on a chair - they are all over 6ft and I am 4ft 10 and a half!

I know what you  mean about the birds not being fed for a while CLKD. I leave the house normally around 8.15 and they dont get fed again until 4ish. They have got used to me being here during the snowy weather as the school was closed. Enjoy your walk through the snow.

Taz x

[CLKD]

Nope.  Won't enjoy  . decided to bring dog back here as I have my heating on; food int he fridge; birds to feed, chickens to clean out ....... even though there is food the birds are not coming down for it, maybe they feel stuffed as well 

[CLKD]

I can hear a Great Tit tweeting, blackbirds are shouting at each other and the robin sings constantly 'at' me in which ever room I happen to be!

[Rosebush]

Had a lovely robin feeding on my bird table today, he stayed for ages, while a very fat wood pidgeon, just waited patiently for him to fly away,  before taking his share..

[CLKD]

Oh I feel awfully guilty.  I made sure that the 2 bottom ponds were broken sot hat the fish could breath but forgot about the frogs in the top, now that the snow has gone off the 3" thick ice I can see dead ones ........ Hubby didn't think either    can't call myself a conservationist today 

[Taz2]

Is this of interest CLKD? http://froglife-frogbites.blogspot.com/2009/01/let-garden-ponds-breath-easy-says.html

Taz x 

[Trey]

CLKD, you are still a good conservationist, but one who just learned a difficult lesson as did we all.
 
TAZ, great article.

We are no longer freezing in Southern, coastal Alabama, but have to contend with mold and seeds sprouting roots and fermenting.

Again, love this thread as the wildlife bring us closer to being part of an entire planet, not just us and our issues.  It's so much fun to assist the little guys in hard times.