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Friday, 23 December 2005 |
Feed the birds plea
They are one of the emblems of Christmas - but experts are warning that without help, the robin will be struggling this winter.
Norfolk
experts are warning that while we overdo it on mince-pies and turkey,
our garden birds will be having trouble finding food.
An unusual shortage of nuts and seeds, combined with a predicted hard
winter, is likely to see a falling robin population over coming months,
says the Thetford-based British Trust for Ornithology.
Spokesman
Martin Fowlie said: "This year has been really poor for seeds, acorns,
beech mast and pine cones. These things go in cycles, but it seems
everything has coincided so there is very little about.
"If
there is a very cold winter with a food shortage, there is likely to be
a population decline. How much of a decline is what we are asking
people to help us find out.
"We would just say to people, while
you are enjoying the Christmas lunch and getting stuffed, why not put
out some food and help us monitor what is happening to them?"
The poor seed crop means that other birds, like wood pigeon, coal tit and chaffinch, are also struggling.
Mike
Toms, the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch organiser, said: "The poor seed crop
this year has seen berries being depleted much earlier than normal.
What this means for our garden birds is that a food source which would
normally last them through the winter months has now pretty much been
exhausted."
The lack of seeds means that birds are stripping holly and even ivy, much earlier than usual.
Dr Fowlie said: "I have seen the holly being stripped by birds. The ivy is starting to go."
Mr
Toms said that putting food out for birds would help them, but said
seed mixes were the best option. Bacon rind, desiccated coconut and
turkey carcases can actually harm birds.
The BTO wants people to
take part in its Garden BirdWatch survey, helping them to find out how
robins and other garden birds are getting on. For a free information
pack, phone 01842 750050 or write to GBW, Room 50, British Trust for
Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU. |
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