CHATTERBOX - Lochwinnoch

RSPB LOCHWINNOCH
What a cold start to the year we're all having!
With all 3 lochs completely frozen, the severely cold
weather will really be having an impact on our birds. We
have seen some unusual sights as a result of the big
freeze, as many normally shy birds have gathered
around areas of flowing water, as these are the only
places available for eating and drinking!
These have so far included water rail, jack snipe, snipe,
moorhen, grey heron, mute swan, whooper swan, dipper,
teal, goldeneye and mallards, plus lots of black
headed and lesser black backed gulls sitting on the ice.
Woodcocks and brambling are also being frequently reported
around the local area.
On the reserve, the feeding station has been completely
mobbed as hungry birds desperately try to eat and keep
their energy up to survive the freezing cold nights. This
has brought in lots of the normal species as well as some
unusual sightings, including a yellowhammer (the first
on the reserve for over 10 years), 10 blackbirds all feeding
at the same time, reed buntings, fielfares and bullfinches.
Whilst this cold weather persists, there are a few things
to remember to make sure that our birds are well fed
and looked after:
1. Feed your birds. If you normally feed birds in your
garden or local park, please continue to do so. The birds
will be relying on these food sources as there is very little
else available at the moment. If you don't normally feed
your birds, please consider doing so. Kitchen scraps and
rotten fruit and vegetables can be just as valuable as
seeds, fats and peanuts. There are, however, quite a few
foods to avoid including salty, mouldy and stale foods
and many dried foods. Also, avoid using left over cooking
fats from meat/poultry as this can carry harmful
bacteria and cause birds to become very unwell and die.
For advice about feeding birds, visit
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/
helpingbirds/feeding/index.aspx
2. Put water out. People often forget that during times
of frost and snow, although there is plenty of frozen water
available, there is little or no drinking water available
for birds. Just today, at a nearby loch, the swans were so
thirsty from eating so much bread that they were almost
choking on it. Five minutes of clearing a bit of slushy ice
soon brought all of the swans over, who quickly swallowed
the water down. You will have to check your bird
bath, margarine pot or ice cream tub (whatever you
choose to put water into) daily as it is likely to freeze
overnight. Just pouring a kettle full of warm water will
give the birds a drinking water supply again.
3. Don't disturb groups of water birds. Birds that
usually rely upon water bodies for food, water and
safetyfrom predators will be lacking in all of these things
due to the severe frosts. It is vitally important that
these groups are not disturbed as every time they have
to move or fly away, this uses up more of the little energy
that they have left. Please avoid walking near them
or being tempted to do so because the birds are not as
active as normal. Please also keep dogs under control
where possible as they can easily cause distress to birds.
4. Keep your nestboxes up. Whilst this may not be something
that people would usually consider doing or thinking
about at this time of year, nestboxes can provide much
needed shelter from the cold for many species in the winter.
Wrens in particular collect in large groups and will roost together
in nestboxes. You may notice them arriving at your
box from dusk onwards. Over 50 have been known to roost
together in one box! If you have a nestbox camera, it may be
worth switching it back on during the winter to see if you
have any creatures using your box as a roost site.
For further advice about looking after your birds,
please visit www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds
Thank you for all of your help during this freezing spell. The
birds will certainly appreciate it as do we all, and you never
know, you might get something new or unusual in your garden
too!
Finally, a really nice picture of the water rail, take by reserve
manager Zul Bhatia on Christmas Day.
Paula Baker,
RSPB Lochwinnoch Visitor and Publicity Officer
© Water Rail Copyright Zul Bhatia
Keep up to date with news and events
at RSPB Lochwinnoch.
Wildlife viewing all year round, nature trails and hides open
at all times, Visitor Centre open from 10am-5pm daily, Bird
Feeding Station and Treetop Tower, drinks, snacks and a superb
RSPB Shop. Daily activities for families, guided walks
throughout the year, school holiday activities, try our
monthly ‘Wildlife Challenge’. An ideal day out for everyone.
For bookings and information, Tel: 01505 842663
or e-mail us at: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk
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