Feeding Instructions - Gary Woodburn

To avoid wasting time and seed, I suggest that feeding should be targeted, and only used on sites with known flocks of farmland birds present.

Cereal grain is good for buntings species, skylarks, tree sparrows, some finches (chaffinches/bramblings), grey partridge. Other finches such as twite, linnet and goldfinch prefer smaller seeds.

Landowner permissions should sought before spreading seed, and the site should be checked to ensure it isn't designated as SSSI or anything similar. Avoid spreading on SSSI land or anywhere else where there is a risk of habitat damage as a result (species rich grassland etc).

Initially spreading one sack (approx 20kg) should be sufficient (unless the site has large numbers of birds). This can then be monitored and re-seeded if required.

Do not spread along public footpaths, and avoid areas with regular disturbance.

Seed should be spread in a NON CROPPED area - a farm track or an area of short grass will do. In arable fields, grass margins between fields and hedgerows are a good bet so long at the grass is short enough. Try to spread somewhere with a low thick hedgerow nearby, this will give buntings, finches and sparrows cover if they are disturbed.

Avoid spreading directly next to tall woodlands or wooded areas, more open areas with low hedgerows are better.

Avoid spreading in thick vegetation, seed needs to be visible to the birds.

Spread the seed by walking along with the sack and gently shaking it to release the seed slowly. Avoid leaving big thick piles of seed on the ground, the seed needs to be spread fairly thinly, but must still be visible to the birds.

If a large number of skylarks are present consider seeding more open areas of the field preferred by this species. Before seeding an area "in-field" for skylarks, check with the farmer that this is ok. This often isn't a problem on grass fields but most farmer won't want feed wheat thrown into their rape crops ! Also be aware that feeding in more open areas will often attract more crows and woodpigeons.

Do not wait more than a week before putting fresh food down, if there is still food present, put less down. Use an adjacent stretch of track each time you re-seed to avoid build up of old food and reduce the risk of disease.

I guess how far the seed goes will depend on how many people want to do this, but I hope there will be enough available to get a number of sites through the next few weeks at least, and I guess the next couple of weeks will be the crucial time for many birds. I really don't like the idea of starting feeding and then stopping again, but in this case I guess we just have to go until the grain runs out, or the weather improves. If we can help birds through the worst of it then at least we'll have done some good.