Often you hear people say that feeding birds will make the birds lazy and how it might stop them foraging for natural food.
Well not in my garden: Even with all the suet, seeds and peanuts, my Great Tit was still longing for something else rich in protein.
Well you know all these lovely hibernation boxes with little dowels or little pockets for grubs to hide in.
Apparently we all have a plastic version of this, either green or purple. The gales had overthrown the bin onto its side, and made the search a lot easier.
Here the Great Tit is sitting atop his hibernation box, which he then started to raid.
And finally, his prize:
some kind of Insect larvae.
I took this picture a year ago, on the ;9th of January. It was a lot milder but even so, this Wren managed to find a nice big caterpillar
The wooden shelf supports are good hiding places of hibernating Insects too. Dunnocks, Wrens and other birds, search there too.
Some interesting behaviour, well caught
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how resourceful our little birds are?
ReplyDeleteI have had some snow, believe it, but when it's full of snow, there is no other forms of keeping the birds alive. So, I think that it will do little harm with the feeders or tables.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I don't think it matters how much food we put out, a bird will always still look around for a natural source as well just for a bit of variety.
ReplyDeleteIs that what they're doing?! I saw a Great Tit in my garden this morning and I thought that s/he was investigating the bird house as a potential home for a nest - but it was probably just doing what you said - looking for hibernating protein. The House Sparrows are looking under ledges too - so that must be what they're doing. Good info Yoke, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling, guys.
ReplyDeleteBob, keep an eye on the feeders all the same, food might freeze?
feeding on grubs like these, give the bird not only protein, but they get a liquid intake too.
That is why birds like our Tits, feed their chicks on caterpillars, cause they would be unable to get a drink otherwise.
Siobhhan, it might indeed investigate for some food, but it could be looking for a place to roost also.
Great pictures. I haven't seen many birds around here lately, other than the occasional woodpeckers. Lots of squirrels and deer though, just no birds.
ReplyDeleteRena, welcome back.
ReplyDeleteIts funny that here in Western Europe, we see an influx of birds into our gardens because of the extremely low temperatures, yet up north where you are, birds are used to it and they do not rely on your gardens as much as here.
I'll drop by, again soon.