Feeding birds is a popular activity – more than half of the British population feeds birds in gardens and this offers an easy way to see wild birds up close.

 

Greater Manchester top ten most sighted birds are:

  • Starling
  • House Sparrow
  • Blue Tit
  • Blackbird
  • Magpie
  • Great Tit
  • Collared Dove
  • Greenfinch
  • Robin
  • Chaffinch

 

How to correctly feed garden birds

Plant a bird table in the garden, alternatively hang nut or seed feeders from a washing line or tree. Do not use nylon mesh bags filled with peanuts as birds can trap their feet in these devices.

 

Suitable foods for birds include black sunflower seeds, peanuts, mild grated cheese, dried fruit and dry porridge oats. Place a bird bath on your table as birds need a regular source of water for drinking and bathing.

 

Grey squirrels and bats can be a nuisance at bird tables. To deter them, smooth petroleum jelly along the metal post or enclose the post of the bird table with a section of smooth plastic pipe and place a large inverted biscuit tin over the top of the post, beneath the tray.

 

To find out more about bird preservation in your area, contact:

 

Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust
Telephone 01772 324 129

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Greater Manchester Bird Club
Telephone 0161 428 2175

 

Leigh Ornithological Society
December 2008
GGM's 10th anniversary project warms the heart - details to follow.
November 2008
GGM wins a Green Apple Award - details to follow.
October 2008
Celebrating 10 years of GGM - details to follow.
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October 2007
Wake up call to Manchester's green champions. wake_up_call_to_manchester_s_green_champions_new.html  More »
October 2007
Greening Greater Manchester on the map with launch of new website greening_greater_manchester_launches_new_website.html  More »
Operation Bullfinch at Chorlton Water Park, Manchester

“As part of the children’s environmental studies and to improve the local area, Operation Bullfinch was launched with Mersey Valley Wardens to help protect one of Britain’s most popular birds – the bullfinch,” said Chris Harper, Chorlton High School teacher.

 

The loss of woodlands and hedgerows during the last 30 years has seen the number of bullfinches in the UK drop by more than half. School children from Chorlton High School, with help from the park’s wardens and community groups, planted an orchard at Chorlton Water Park to encourage bullfinches to the area.

 

“With funding from GGM, the children planted a range of fruit trees and shrubs that were identified as producers of winter-feeding resources to encourage bullfinches to stay in the park,” added Chris.

 

“Educational projects like Operation Bullfinch are great as they provide a practical learning experience, improve the children’s knowledge of their environment and bring longterm benefits to the wider community.”

 

“I feel it is vital to bring children out of the classroom and into the wider environment, and this project is an excellent way of doing this.”