Please don't forget to feed the wild birds

[naomi24]

A very frosty morning ... so just a thought. :o)

[Prudie]

It certainly givs me a thrill nungate. I think it's only robins that would be that brave and cheeky!

[ladybirder]

Oh brilliant daisynonna, you won't regret it. Let us know how you get on.

Shoota, don't maggots stink or am I mistaken? I get meal worms because they don't smell but it works out expensive when parents are feeding babies. The blackbirds load up with about 15 worms in their bills each time they come to the feeder as opposed to the tits who take only one at a time.

[hairlady]

Naomi ,when I go on holiday ,as soon as I get home the first thing that I do is to fill the feeders up !Thats even before brewing up and checking mu mail .The birds have trained me well ,havent they ?

[rsvp]

have today re-instated the feeding station (don't feed during the summer months) and cannot believe the number of visitors - many thanks naomi24 for the timely reminder.

[shoota]

Maggots can smell if they get warm and sweat.
If you do buy some from a fishing shop ask for some 'dust' to be put in with them, this is very fine sawdust which absorbs any moisture, and then keep them very cool. Fridge is best if you can bear the idea or outside in a potting shed would do in these temperatures. A couple of extra quid spent on a proper maggot box with air holes will help keep them fresh.
Once Robins find them they can't stay away, I always give them any extra ones I can't use for fishing.

[ladybirder]

Thanks shoota, I keep my meal worms in the fridge in some sort of bran. I top it up every couple of days and put a slice of apple or cucumber in now and again for moisture. I don't keep them too long in case they hatch out - I couldn't cope with that! I'll have a look at the price of the maggots and see how they compare. Do they keep very long?