Feeding birds is a good thing.
But it doesn't do much for species protection.
Erdinger BN experts give tips and information on how best to help animals in winter.
Erding
- buy a tit dumpling and save the bird world with it?
At most it is first aid - at best.
"Winter feeding only makes a very small contribution to species protection," explains Gabriele Betzmeir.
Much more important for the protection of our garden birds are, according to the Erdinger district chairman of the Bund Naturschutz (BN), dense hedges, scattered fruit, near-natural perennials and herbs, which are likely to remain over the winter.
To prevent misunderstandings: According to the BN, bird feeding is therefore not completely wrong.
Feeding stations are a good opportunity to watch birds up close.
The BN refers to studies by the Catholic University of Eichstätt, according to which experiencing exciting nature experiences makes you happy.
"Feeding birds is fun, promotes knowledge of species and increases the well-being of us humans," says the BN press release.
Therefore there is nothing wrong with proper feeding in winter.
Properly means: The feeding places in the garden should be kept clean, contaminated feed should be disposed of and fresh water should always be offered.
However: “Just feeding isn't enough.
This promotes local animal populations, but not our biological diversity, ”explains Betzmeir.
Feeding gives common and human-adapted species a competitive advantage that can affect the size and distribution of seasonal animal populations and bird communities.
“While sparrows, tits and blackbirds live on the bird feeder like in paradise, other bird species hardly benefit from it.” The species that come to the bird feeder are not endangered with very few exceptions.
Rare and threatened species such as partridge or gray bunting, on the other hand, hardly ever get to the feeding place.
The feed quality is also important.
According to the BN, more than 20 million euros are spent annually on bird feed, "but the nuts and seeds often remain untouched".
Scorned tit dumplings?
This is no surprise for the BN.
"Birds are picky as long as the weather doesn't force them to switch to low-quality food," explains Erdinger district manager Manfred Drobny.
The quality of cheap birdseed from the discounter or hardware store often suffers.
"Very cheap tit dumplings contain waste fats, breadcrumbs and other indigestible fillers."
If you want to watch many birds in your garden, you have to rely on good quality.
“The more diverse the food available, the more bird species will find something suitable.” Sunflower seeds, hemp, millet, poppy seeds, thistle seeds, fat-bran mixtures, oat flakes, fresh fruit, raisins and dried mealworms are particularly popular.
Drobny and Betzmeir are promoting an alternative: “Buying regional and organically grown products helps to preserve structurally rich landscapes as a habitat for many different bird species.
That makes more sense than buying excessive winter food. "
Tips for natural gardens:
Feeding isn't the only way to spot wildlife in your own yard.
On its website, the BN advises not to clean up your garden in the fall.
“Shrubs, shrubs and remains of flowers provide the best bird food.” A piece of uncut flower meadow offers insects wintering quarters.
Branches and twigs that arise when trees and shrubs are cut back can serve as a brushwood pile for a hedgehog to hibernate.
More about this at https://www.bund-naturschutz.de/oekologischer-leben/naturgarten.