WIREDGOV

As the country enters its third week of sub-zero temperatures, people are being asked to spare a thought for the birds that need help to survive the wintry weather.

Finding food and ensuring they eat enough of it to build - and maintain - adequate fat supplies to store on the body and 'burn' for energy is the greatest test for wild birds in winter. And the food and water that people provide can mean the difference between life and death for many.

Survival becomes even more difficult in hard weather when snow and ice hide once easily available natural food. Water birds may be forced to leave iced-over lakes and rivers; the ground becomes too hard for birds like thrushes and lapwings to probe and natural food like berries, acorns and seeds is buried.

The plea comes the day after the Scottish Government introduced a temporary statutory suspension on wildfowling to help certain species of ducks, geese and waders get through the freezing conditions, which have persisted for over two weeks.

Birdwatchers, walkers, dog owners, anglers and water sports enthusiasts are also being asked to minimise disturbance to groups of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds. On lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas, the birds will be struggling to survive after enduring fourteen consecutive days of freezing temperatures, as recorded at weather stations across the country.

This is only the second time since 2003 that such calls have been made, following a run of mild winters.

RSPB Scotland is asking people to follow a simple six-point 'wild bird winter survival plan' that will help wildlife during the harshest weather:

1. Put out feed regularly, especially in severe weather. Set up a bird table and use high calorie seed mixes. A good alternative would be kitchen scraps such as hard animal fats (suet), grated cheese and porridge oats.

2. Put out hanging feeders containing black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts.

3. Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but DO NOT use any antifreeze products.

4. Put out fruit, such as apples and pears, for blackbirds, song thrushes and other members of the thrush family.

5. Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees is a great help for treecreepers, goldcrests and many other species.

6. Put up nest boxes to provide shelter for the smaller birds. They may well be used for breeding later in the year.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"Sometimes nature needs a helping hand. The exceptionally wintry conditions we are experiencing at the moment can make life extremely difficult for our wildlife and it's important to help out where we can. Wild birds in the garden are one of life's simple pleasures. A little extra effort now to keep them well-fed will help them survive the winter and ensure you can enjoy their visits throughout 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity."

Dr Paul Walton RSPB Scotland Head of Habitats and Species said:

"As Scotland faces many further days of icy, freezing conditions, our garden birds will be in for a nasty shock. Insects become harder to find and seeds and berries can be locked away by snow and frost. Freezing weather is a potential death sentence for many birds but by feeding the birds in your garden, you're helping them survive the worst of the weather. Just a little water, food and shelter can turn your garden into a vital haven for birds in the freezing winter months.

"During freezing conditions, disturbance also forces water birds to squander their precious energy reserves by taking flight - when they need to spend as much time as possible feeding. We hope everyone who uses the countryside will heed our advice and avoid putting water birds to flight unnecessarily. If they do, the millions of birds that visit our coasts and wetlands during the winter to stand a better chance of survival."

People may notice a change in the behaviour of birds given the extreme conditions, with a flurry of activity first thing in the morning - as birds replenish energy lost overnight - and last thing in the afternoon - to prepare for the long night ahead.

During a hard winter birds have to feed at an accelerated rate, but must also take adequate time out to rest and conserve energy. Many birds become more sociable to improve their chances of survival during cold weather. Flocking together in winter improves the chances of locating food and huddling together during the critical night-time period helps conserve body heat.

The ability to fly is also a key to survival and can lead to sudden - and dramatic - changes in the birdlife of an area. Flying to milder regions in search of areas less affected by the weather or where food is still readily available is a vital tactic.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2010. The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch - the world's biggest bird survey - will take place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31, January 2010 to discover more about how birds are faring in the nation's gardens.

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