16th February 2023 • The HERALD • Page 55 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v 07879 552227 www.crowngardensandlandscapes.co.uk info@crowngardensandlandscapes.co.uk A family run business with over 20 years experience. Our teams of professional, friendly and reliable Gardeners and Landscapers are passionate about gardening and landscaping to very high standards of presentation and quality workmanship. Garden Maintenance Leaf Clearance Spring Tidy Up Hedges Borders Weeds Pressure Washing Landscaping Design Patios Artificial Lawns Decking Fencing Garden Repairs Your specialist Landscape and Garden Maintenance service, based in Hythe. Here to support the design, creation and maintenance of your perfect and personal outdoor space. Fred Hurst 023 8084 2191 or 07761 467217 • Grass Cutting • Garden Clearance • Hedge Cutting • Fallen Trees Cleared • Mini Digger Hire with Operator • Property Clearance • Small Demolition • Tractor Flail Cutting FULLY INSURED v FREE QUOTATIONS ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ 7 Ways You Can Help Your Garden Birds this Winter by Nicolas Watts, conservationist, and owner of Vine House Farm, the self-sustainable Lincolnshire-based farm and bird care supplier. with water (make sure this no more than 1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Whenever you clean a bird bath, bird feeder, or bird accessory, make sure you wash it with plain water a er it has been sterilsed, to make sure there are no harmful chemicals le . birds, regardless of the season, but especially during the breeding season. 4. Remember ground-feeding birds When the ground is covered with snow, groundfeeding birds like Blackbirds, Robins, and Song rushes are at a loss. Try using a ground-feeding mix that includes high-energy foods, such as sultanas, rolled oats, and sun ower heart chips. ese are perfect for so -billed ground-feeding birds, which can struggle to chip into whole seeds like nyjer seeds or whole sun ower seeds. 5. A little goes a long way Although it is always tempting to put out a lot of food for the birds - especially during cold periods- too much food leads to the risk of it going mouldy or being contaminated. is can lead to salmonella poisoning and even increase the risks of bird u transmission. Your best bet is to provide small amounts of bird food and change it regularly. Make sure, when you do this, you’re cleaning up fallen seed husks and other pieces of food from the ground and below feeders, as this can be a breeding ground for bacteria. 6. Safeguard the bird food Food can be scarce for many animals over the winter, so it is a good idea to safeguard the food you are providing for the birds. Specialised feeders will protect against large birds or squirrels stealing the food. Also, garden birds are likely to fear attacks from predators so it is advisable to place feeders close to trees and thick shrubs, allowing the birds to escape quickly if threatened. is approach gives smaller birds the security they need to return to your garden. 7. Keep it clean 1. Beware of the big freeze Bird baths and other water sources are likely to freeze over as temperatures plummet, which means many birds can perish due to dehydration. erefore, putting out fresh water every day can be a real lifesaver. You can help stop water freezing by lining your bird bath with something black, like a black liner, or adding some black rocks to the bottom of the bowl. ese will retain more heat and stop it freezing as easily. ere are also solutions you can add to bird baths to stop the water freezing in cold temperatures- make sure that anything you’re adding to water for birds is certi ed as non-toxic for birds and wildlife. 2. Use foods high in fat A high-protein diet containing plenty of calories can be vital for some birds to make it through the colder months. Foods high in fat or oil content provide enough fuel to see them through the winter. Nutritious winter foods such as sun ower seeds and super suet balls are ideal – and they may help you attract species such as woodpeckers, tits, and Starlings. 3. Don’t neglect live food Live food such as insects, worms, and larvae decrease in numbers when frost and snow hits the ground, as they move lower into the soil to hibernate. is means their is a scarcity for birds, which need them for fat, protein, and- perhaps most importantly - hydration. Including a supply of live mealworms in your garden bird food selection will be of huge bene t to wild Your bird feeders require cleaning and sterilising on a regular basis. Keeping mould and mildew to a minimum means diseases are less likely to thrive – and this means a reduced risk to the health of the birds. Remove old seeds from your feeder and, if possible, provide more than one feeder to give the birds a bit of variety and plenty of space. Additionally, if you have a birdbath, it is advisable to empty it every day, wipe it clean and re ll it with fresh water. You can use either hot soapy water or bleach diluted Herb Cultivation and Their Uses Bartley Horticultural Society next meeting is on Thursday 16th February for a talk by Ray Broughton titled ‘Herb Cultivation and eir Uses’. On Thursday 16th March for a talk by Agnes Piaseczna titled ‘ e Layered Garden Using Bulbs, Annuals & Biennials’. Meetings take place on the third ursday of the month at Copythorne Parish Hall, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne SO40 2NT at 7.30pm. New members and visitors are always welcome. Visitors fee applies. For more information you can write to them at: Mavis Cottage, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne, SO40 2NZ, call: 07789 352505 or visit their website: www.bartleyhs.org.uk
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