L. B. TettenbornMany of us like having friends over for dinner but some dedicated wildlife lovers are to help tickle the taste buds of some new fine diners.But forget jus, coulis and foam, this feeding challenge is is all about seed, suet and suitable feeders.
For the first time, the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) has recruited volunteers to help test which bird foods are the most popular with our feathered friends.
And the results could shape future menu choices for our garden birds. The wildlife charity wants to know how well different bird foods perform against each other. The results of the trials will be used as a basis for decisions on recipe changes, and which bird foods to sell.
The volunteers will monitor pairs of bird feeders, to measure how much seed has been eaten and which types are the most popular.
Geoff Brown, RSPB Trading Marketing Manager says: "This work is important in helping us make sure that we develop food products that are best suited to the birds that eat them, and the pockets of those feeding them. While various foods and mixes may look attractive to us, it is critical to measure how well they are received by the actual birds."
Volunteers will carry out the tests in their own gardens with all equipment and food provided by the RSPB.
They will measure how much of each specific bird food is eaten each day for over a week.
They will keep simple records, and refill and clean feeders when necessary.
RSPB Volunteer Co-ordinator Rhoda Ludford says: “This highlights perfectly that there really are volunteering opportunities within the RSPB for everyone.
“We always say that whether you have an hour or a week to spare, your commitment will be appreciated and beneficial to the charity.
“This is a way to help with our vital conservation work without even leaving your own garden if you don’t want to. It’s a unique opportunity and one which could be very rewarding.”
The volunteers need to have gardens with a good variety of visiting birds, and enough room to site two feeders near each other.
Ideally, the gardens won’t have problems with squirrels raiding bird feeders.
Geoff Brown says: "Whilst we know which kind of seed suits different birds, this will help us tailor our products even closer to what our garden visitors like. With over half the UK population feeding the birds in their garden, there is no question over the nation's commitment to helping them.”
Winter is an essential time to start feeding garden birds as natural food sources will become scarce as the weather worsens.
