Our garden birds are remarkably good at surviving storms that arrive with their heavy rain and strong winds. They have several clever ways of protecting themselves, conserving energy and finding food when wintery weather bites.
Surviving the storm
Wild birds seek shelter and take cover when wind and rain arrives. Robins, blackbirds, tits and sparrows make a beeline for evergreen shrubs, hedges, ivy and the inner branches of big trees. Doing this helps them avoid the full force of the wind and soaking rain.
Staying warm
Fluffing up feathers provides birds with their own insulated jacket as it traps a layer of warm air between body and feathers. Helping to retain body heat in this way ensures they stay as snug as possible. They might even tuck their bills into their feathers and reduce movement to conserve energy.
Building up energy
Birds forage and feed as much as possible before bad weather, storing energy as body fat. During the storm they will often cease feeding and shelter instead. Once the wind and rain has gone, they will begin searching for food as quickly as possible to replace the energy they have used keeping warm.
Taking shelter
Keeping warm and dry is a main priority for our garden birds during a storm. They will take shelter in tree cavities, nest boxes, holes in walls or in dense vegetation. Tiny wrens often huddle together to share their body heat.
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What happens when the wind is wild and unruly?
Birds will sit tight in safety rather than attempting to fly. Strong gusts can push them off course and use a great deal of energy. Heavy rain can also challenge the waterproofing qualities of feathers, particularly if birds are caught out in the wet for long periods.
Small birds will lose heat quickly and have only limited energy reserves. Sadly, some of them will perish during storms, while others might get lost or have their nests damaged.
What measures can you take to help your garden birds in these situations?
Offer supplementary food
Put out high-energy food such as sunflower hearts, suet pellets and mealworms to help birds top up their reserves between bouts of bad weather.
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Position feeders in a sheltered spot
Site feeders away from the full force of the weather, next to a hedge or dense shrubs, but with a clear escape from predators and potential ambushes.
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Don’t forget ground-feeders
Some birds such as blackbirds and robins prefer to eat their food from the ground. Heavy rain can make the ground waterlogged and hard to feed from. Instead, place food in a covered area where it will remain dry.
Don’t over-tidy garden shrubs
Leave shrubs, hedges and evergreen plants a little wilder, as they provide important shelter for wild birds.
Keep a regular check on food and water
Never leave wet food to spoil in a feeder. Tip it out and discard, clean the feeder and when it is dry, refill with fresh food. Change water daily and wash bowls, baths and bottles on a regular basis .