Birds during bad weather

[starone]

I like to watch birds from my window and I put birdseed out in various places to tempt them into my garden. I have noticed during these storms (and I can't say I blame them) that there are hardly any little visitors. How do they live? Surely they cannot fly in these winds. So how can they go on? Is there anything I can do to help them? Do they live on what they have eaten before? Perhaps this question is elementary to seasoned Bird Watchers. I cannot go far afield and have to watch them from my window.

[ladybirder]

I tend to throw more seed and other stuff on the ground when it's windy. Then they don't have to be so precise when they land. Only bluetits came to my window feeder today whereas it's mostly greenfinch and a robin.

[daisya]

I often think of this Star, I haven't a clue what they do...guess take shelter and come out as soon as they can to feed. I always feel sorry for the birds in particular because as you say surely they can't fly (properly) in gales. I used to have a bird feeding station in the garden until neighbours got lots of cats and they were killing the birds...so with regret I stopped feeding because of that and I miss seeing them so much,.

[starone]

Thanks for your answers ladybird and daisy. It's mostly hedge sparrows and a robin and some ringed doves and of course the inevitable wood pigeons. I saw a crow land on next doors garden shed roof this afternoon. He puts bread out there for them. I don't think bread is good for them so I just put seed and fat balls. I prefer small birds but I suppose crows need food as well. I thought they were carrion eaters, but I expect they will eat whatever they can get. I have noticed they sit on the hedge and have a good look round before they come down to eat so I don't think our local cats will get much from them. I always shoo them away when I see them.

[ladybirder]

You're right, no nutritional value in bread for them star. I think what you're doing is fine.

[daisya]

I have agree about the bread, we never fed them that, always seed, peanuts for the blue tits and fat balls which even the starlings loved. As for cats here, I was mortified when the avid hunter next door killed a swallow and dropped the poor soul in our garden even though she got it outside the property and then she took one of "our" regular visitors the ring necked doves...I just couldn't stand it so now I take bird food and feed the birds when we go to visit places near us. I know cats are natural predators of birds but I really can't bear to see it when I am feeding them in my garden.

[rowanwitch]

crows and magpies like well soaked dried dog food

you could put your feeders in as sheltered a place as possible but they will mostly just hide in the densest bush they can find until the weather calms down... its been quite mild so there may still be a few insects about in the bushes to tide them over