The call to help birds comes as many species are under threat due to habitat loss and reductions in food – here’s what you can do
You can leave out pasta in your garden to help birds(Image: Getty Images/Vetta)
Householders are being urged to leave pasta out in their garden to help birds such as Robins and blackbirds. The RSPCA says anyone can help feed birds without having to buy any specialist food.
You can use some common, inexpensive kitchen foods that you almost certainly have in the back of your cupboard. As well as rice, potatoes and cheese, gardeners can leave out cooked pasta on bird tables.
It must be cooked pasta though and never raw. This is because raw pasta could be unsafe for birds to eat, so make sure to boil and cook it properly first. This comes as other experts have explained how to attract robins and blackbirds to your garden, as reported by ChronicleLive.
Many bird species are under threat due to habitat loss, reductions in food such as the drop in insect numbers, as well as climate change and pollution. That’s why gardeners are being urged to do what they can to help birds out by providing food for them, which in turn will help birds feed young fledglings in August, reports the Express.
Fledglings are young birds which have only recently flown the nest. Due to their young age, they’re still inexperienced at searching for food, and also need lots of nutrition to help them grow.
The RSPCA says gardeners can leave out fruits, seeds, unsalted chopped peanuts and food scraps. It adds: “Birds love to eat: fruit – apples, pears and soft fruits; Suitable seeds and grains – like nyjer, millet, oats, and sunflower seeds; Peanuts – must be unsalted, fresh and that they don’t contain aflatoxin (a poison caused by fungus mould).
“Young chicks might choke on whole peanuts, so always put them in feeders with a smaller mesh. Food scraps – cooked pasta, rice and boiled potatoes or cheese and uncooked and unsalted bacon rind.”
In addition, raisins and sultanas might also do the trick as well as net-free fat or suet balls. “These attract a wide range of species and provide a great boost of calories,” the experts said.
There is also an important warning for dog owners. The RSPCA added: “If you have dogs, be careful with grapes, sultanas, raisins and some artificial sweeteners, as they’re toxic to dogs.”
Meanwhile, people are urged not to forget fresh water. The RSPCA says on its website: “Fresh, clean water is essential for birds, so keep water bowls full of clean water and make sure you place bowls and feeders far away from bushes and other areas where predators might hide.
“Many garden birds die each year through the transmission of diseases, so it’s important to clean all water containers daily and feeders weekly, drying them before refilling. Rotating feeding and drinking areas will help reduce the transmission of disease.”
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