2 weeks Ago By Alex Evans
Gardeners are being urged to put tabasco or hot sauce on their bird feeders as soon as they can this winter. That’s because during cold December days, there are several birds that do not migrate south for the winter and instead choose to stay here in the UK and battle to find food. And between the snow , the heavy rain and the howling winds as well as freezing temperatures, finding food can be really difficult.
And birds need a hand with finding food. Thanks to a huge reduction in insect populations, which are down as much as 80 percent in the past 20 years according to studies, birds have far less to eat than they used to, putting them at real risk of starvation. That’s why gardeners are being asked to do what they can to make a difference and leave food out for birds.
Birds such as blackbirds, robins, starlings and magpies all stay in the UK over winter and will all be hunting for food. Birds love all sorts of food left out for them, including custom bird food mixes like mealworms, as well as household items like sultanas, raisins, oats, sunflower seeds and various other nuts and seeds. The problem with putting food out on bird feeders, though, is that squirrels and even rats will try to steal it.
So, if you have a bird feeder or bird bath, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds suggests that gardeners use something spicy, like Tabasco or chilli powder flakes, to flavour the food. The RSPB says: "Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds. Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally.
"Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like Tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food. Birds aren't bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can't put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone.".
