Give Worcestershire's wildlife a helping hand this winter (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Give Worcestershire's wildlife a helping hand this winter

5:40pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in Local

WORCESTERSHIRE Wildlife Trust is encouraging residents to give wildlife a helping hand.

Winter is a hard time of year for much of the county’s wildlife with natural food resources getting harder to find. Freezing temperatures and heavy snow can force wildlife into closer contact with humans.

Steve Bloomfield, trust conservation officer, said: “Plummeting temperatures and heavy snowfall can cause real problems. What’s left of dwindling natural food supplies suddenly becomes hard to get to – birds can’t penetrate the soil to reach worms and other invertebrates and frosts will begin to rot berries left on trees and shrubs.

“It’s really important to help birds and other wildlife – putting out high-fat foods such as suet balls, sunflower hearts and peanuts along with seed mixes will really help.”

Food doesn’t have to be specifically bought for wildlife. Birds eat cooked rice, cheese, uncooked porridge oats, dried fruit and dog or cat food. Don’t put out cooking fat, vegetable oils or margarine as these can be smeared onto the birds feathers and hamper their flying ability and their waterproof capability.

Mr Bloomfield added: “Our seed comes from Vine House Farm in Lincolnshire. They grow most of the seed on their wildlife-friendly farm, which is run by Nicholas Watts, recent recipient of an MBE for services to conservation and farming.

“What’s even better is that for every sale to a Worcestershire address from Vine House Farm’s own website, they donate five per cent of the total to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. So, regardless of whether you buy bird food from us direct or from their website, wildlife in Worcestershire stands to benefit.”

For more information, see www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/other-ways-to-help, call 01905 754919 or see www.vinehousefarm.co.uk.