As a severe cold snap grips the nation, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has issued urgent advice to help Britain's garden birds survive the harsh January conditions.
The charity is urging gardeners to put out kitchen scraps, including leftover roast potatoes, to provide essential energy for wild birds during the freeze. This guidance comes as the UK faces multiple yellow and amber weather warnings for cold, ice, and snow, with severe conditions expected to persist throughout the month.
Why Birds Need Extra Help in Winter
The RSPB explains that freezing temperatures force birds to use significantly more energy just to stay warm. At the same time, their natural food sources become scarce due to shorter daylight hours for foraging. Providing supplementary food in gardens can therefore be a lifeline.
"You can help birds in the winter by providing food in your outdoor space," stated the RSPB. Suitable kitchen scraps include mild grated cheese, bruised fruit, cooked rice, unsalted bits of hard fat, dry porridge oats, and crucially, roast potatoes.
Essential Safety Warnings for Bird Feeders
However, the charity has issued a critical warning alongside its advice. Any roast potatoes put out must be free from contamination by meat juices or cooking fat.
"Cooking fat from the roast mixes with meat juice during cooking to make a runny, greasy mixture," the RSPB cautioned. "This sticks to feathers and stops them from being waterproof," leaving birds vulnerable to the cold. Instead, energy-dense commercial options like mixed seed, sunflower seed, nyjer seed, and peanuts are excellent alternatives.
Maintaining hygiene is equally vital to prevent disease. The RSPB recommends washing feeders weekly with a mild detergent solution and wearing gloves. Any mouldy or leftover food should be disposed of promptly.
Don't Forget Fresh Water
Alongside preparing a feast, ensuring birds have access to fresh, unfrozen water for drinking and bathing is a year-round necessity. As temperatures plummet, it is essential to regularly check bird baths, break any ice, and replenish them with clean water.
By taking these simple steps, Britons can play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife through one of the most challenging periods of the year.
