When should I put out a bird feeder

[Rob tolfts]

and what should I feed them?

Any advice to help frogs through the winter would be good too!

R.

[red devil]

You can put out a bird feeder all year round, try and position it so cats can't ambush the birds whilst feeding. Squirrel proof feeders are necessary too if you have them in your garden, otherwise they scoff the lot.

Personally I use sunflower heart seeds, they are great energy wise for the birds. They also don't start growing when they inevitably drop to the ground whilst the birds feed on them.

Lots of good advice here...http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/

[Jenny1]

In relation to frogs. They need somewhere safe, dark and damp to hibernate. So a key thing is not to tidy up your garden too much - but leave piles of leaves on borders and stacks of twigs up against fences.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Don't fall for the cheap fat block in Sainsbury's, the birds in my garden turn their beaks up at it.

[red devil]

That's gentrification for you...

[Laur]

It's nice to hear residents enquiring about the best way to care for nature.

[Seabag]

Make sure it's squirrel proof

Those little furry darlings are rather adept at seed robbery

[titch juicy]

Bring the frogs indoors. Set them up with little armchairs in front of the fire, with a decent view of the telly.

[Rob tolfts]

RE:

"Bring the frogs indoors. Set them up with little armchairs in front of the fire, with a decent view of the telly."

We have named him Sir Freddie Toad Jr, so that would be appropriate!

[LadyNorwood]

Lots of toads in my garden, they make me heave (frogs too) - however....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/05/toads-nearly-endangered-after-suffering-massive-decline-in-30-ye/

[Sue]

LadyNorwood Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Lots of toads in my garden, they make me heave

> (frogs too) - however....

> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/05/toads-n

> early-endangered-after-suffering-massive-decline-i

> n-30-ye/

I'll gladly give them a home in my garden, Lady Norwood!

I love having frogs there!

[PeckhamRose]

I live on third floor and still have to have squirrel proof bird feeders as the squirrels can climb up scaffolding even if it as the other end of the block, and sometimes even just planting and brickwork. I would also suggest the 'squirrel proof' bit being as wide out as possible as I have recently witnessed parakeets quite easily able to get through the narrower bit at the top and bottom of the smaller squirrel proof ones. I have three: one for nuts one for seeds and one for fatballs. The fatballs are more popular in winter but some birds still go for it. I also have 2 bird boxes up here but only one is ever used. We think the one that is not was a better location for them and more hidden. But we have show-offy blue tits who visit every spring and breed, and want a prime Nunhead location visible to all.

[malumbu]

Once got a squirrel trapped in a feeder, the bugger. As they are vermin you are supposed to dispose of them, but couldn't bring myself to do it. Scared it with a cat frightener device and its heart was jumping of its body (that was to give it a lesson so it wouldn't come back). It's eyes were bulging out of its head. After it came back to life managed to tease open the feeder to let it out, avoiding it biting my hands. Wasn't at all grateful.