
Householders urged to sprinkle rice on bird tables this summer
Householders are being advised to sprinkle rice on their bird tables this summer to help out during a very important season.
Over the next few months, several young birds across Britain will be learning to fly the nest to make their own way into the world during the fledging stage. Fledging is the stage in a flying animal's life between hatching or birth and becoming capable of flight.
During this time of the year, bird species are at risk of dying due to a reduction in food. This happens due to climate change and pollution as well as a drop in insect numbers. To help with the difficult period, gardeners are being urged to do what they can to help birds out by providing food for them, which in turn will help young birds too, according to the Express.
Thankfully, you don't need to buy posh bird seeds from garden centres or pay through the nose to help wildlife out.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that pastry, cooked rice (it must be cooked, never raw!) and breadcrumbs can all be used to feed birds occasionally, alongside other items like apples, pears, and seeds and nuts.
The RSPB says: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of seed, peanuts, suet and mealworms.
"Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and Blackbirds.
"Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Of course. it's important to cook the rice first, as uncooked rice can cause digestive issues in birds, which is one of the reasons throwing rice at weddings fell out of popularity.
So always use cooked rice, never raw.
Whatever you leave out, be sure to clear away any uneaten food at the end of the day, and clean any bird table regularly.
This is because the RSPB recently pulled flat bird tables from sale while it investigates the possible spread of disease it says could be caused by flat tables, due to food being left out exposed to the elements.
It recommends cleaning bird tables, as well as nesting boxes, regularly and removing any uneaten food.
Experts warn that certain feeder designs, especially flat surfaces, could be harmful to birds due to the disease Tricomonosis, which particularly affects Greenfinches and Chaffinches. Bird specialist Lucy Taylor said: "This is because the disease Tricomonosis – which especially affects Greenfinches and Chaffinches – can more easily be transmitted when an infected bird drops food onto the flat surface, which another bird then picks up."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Paraglider crashes in Scots hills and suffers 'severe injuries'
Paraglider crashes in Scots hills and suffers 'severe injuries' A full-scale emergency response including; mountain rescue, the Coastguard and the Scottish Ambulance Service, was launched. The Coastguard and an air ambulance were both on the scene. (Image: Torridon Mountain Rescue Team ) A paraglider was left with 'servere injuries' after crashing into hills in Wester Ross in the Highlands on Sunday. A full-scale emergency response including; mountain rescue, the Coastguard and the Scottish Ambulance Service, was launched following the incident which happened in remote terrain in the hills above Strathcarron on the afternoon of August 3. Torridon Mountain Rescue Team were on a training exercise near Shieldaig when they were alerted and mobilised swiftly following reports of concern for serious injuries. The rescue effort escalated swiftly. Upon arriving in the area, the team was airlifted onto the hillside by the Coastguard. Once on the ground, they joined forces with local ambulance paramedics and a Coastguard Winch Paramedic to stabilise the casualty. Due to the severity of the individual's injuries, an air ambulance was called in with a specialist critical care team. Torridon Mountain Rescue Team volunteers. (Image: Torridon Mountain Rescue Team ) Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Rescue teams had to administer treatment at the scene to ensure the casualty was stable before transfering them to the air ambulance. Article continues below The paraglider was then air lifted to hospital where the current condition of their injuries is unknown. A spokesperson from the rescue team said: "We wish the casualty all the best with their recovery."


Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
UK gardeners warned over possible fine for illegal hedge cutting
UK gardeners warned over possible fine for illegal hedge cutting Destroying a bird's nest could result in an unlimited fine and six months in jail Whilst it's permitted to cut domestic garden hedges during this period, if it results in a bird's nest being harmed or demolished (deliberately or accidentally), then you're still breaking the law. (Image: PA) Gardeners are being warned about pruning their hedges this August, or they could risk facing imprisonment and an "unlimited fine". Now that summer has arrived), gardeners have been tackling their upkeep, including ensuring everything appears well-maintained and orderly in the garden. However, if you're considering clipping your hedges, then alongside the consequences for the hedge's development during flowering, you might also violate environmental legislation. Agricultural hedgerows cannot lawfully be trimmed between April 1 and August 31 whatsoever, except under extraordinary circumstances, which would necessitate a permit. Whilst it's permitted to cut domestic garden hedges during this period, if it results in a bird's nest being harmed or demolished (deliberately or accidentally), then you're still breaking the law. Specialists at Husqvana clarify: "Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here . "That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird's nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed." The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) supports this position. The legislation states that individuals breach the law if they deliberately harm a bird's nest whilst it's in use or under construction, and this includes hedge cutting, noting: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it". Violating this law could result in an unlimited fine and up to six months' imprisonment as the maximum penalty. The RSPB explains: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking." Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. (Image: (Image: Getty)) Wildlife specialists Arbtech explained: "Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England / Natural Resources Wales / Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question. "Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. "In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs). Article continues below "Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. "Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both."


Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Daily Record
Householders warned over hanging outdoor fairy lights on the fence
They might give your garden a lovely ambience but they can land you in trouble With summer in full swing and garden upgrades on people's minds and garden accessories are a great way to make your outdoor space more inviting. Fairy lights are a budget-friendly option for adding ambience to your space. But gardeners have been warned that hanging your lights on your fence could land you in trouble. And while you might think it's harmless to string up a line of pretty lights there, it could cause you issues, experts day. They explain that it's not quite as straightforward as small modifications like hanging fairy lights or a bird box from your side of a neighbour 's boundary fence, as all modifications require permission from your neighbour. A boundary fence between two properties is often a source of neighbourly disputes, with confusion over legal responsibilities and uncertainty about who is accountable for which boundary fence's upkeep. A recent study by Ronseal shows that 72 per cent of UK homeowners admit their fence needs some form of repair or replacement, while a quarter consider themselves fence proud. But it's not just about kerb appeal, UK Google searches for 'fence rules' are up 25 per cent year-on-year, as confusion grows over legal responsibilities and what homeowners can actually do to a shared boundary. A boundary fence between two properties is often a source of neighbourly disputes, with confusion over legal responsibilities and uncertainty about who is accountable for which boundary fence's upkeep. To settle the debate, Ronseal has enlisted their resident DIY and fence expert Jimmy Englezos to shed some light on the fence and garden maintenance and where you stand. Before carrying out maintenance or structural work on a boundary fence, it's important to find out who owns the fence and, therefore, who's responsible for its upkeep. Jimmy explains: ' When looking to paint your fence, it's important to find out where the boundary lies between your homes and who owns each fence. If you're unsure, a good place to start is checking the deeds you received when you bought the property - you'll often see a 'T' indicating which fence side is your responsibility to maintain. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'If the land registry states that you are the sole owner of the fence, then you're free to make any alterations you like, including painting it. If your property is listed or on designated land, check with your local authorities first, as restrictions may apply. 'Equally, a 'H' can often be found on the boundary between both properties, which indicates that the fence is a joint responsibility between neighbours'. Jimmy has shared five common garden updates which may require neighbour approval before the work begins. 1. Growing plants up your neighbour's fence 'Growing plants up a boundary fence can be a great way to bring life to your back garden and improve privacy levels, however, it's important to consider whose fence you're utilising. Plants either leaning against a fence or growing up the panels can become heavy and eventually weaken the fence, causing it to collapse. 'If your neighbour owns the fence you share, you must seek permission before you plant climbing plants against it, attach any trellis fixtures, or lean any pots against it. 'Equally, if any plants or trees encroach into your neighbour's garden, they are entitled to trim these back to the boundary and vice versa. In this instance it is important to be aware that trimming beyond a boundary could see you taken to court for property damage so it's important to keep an open dialogue with neighbours before taking any action.' 2. Painting or staining a boundary fence 'If it's your neighbour who owns the fence, you're not legally entitled to make any cosmetic changes like painting or staining, without obtaining verbal permission from them first, even if it's only the side facing your garden that you're altering. 'As painting and staining can help seal a fence and protect it from the elements, therefore prolonging its lifespan, most neighbours will be happy to give permission as long as painting or staining is tackled with care, to ensure no paint bleeds through to their side. 'If you do experience resistance from neighbours, a compromise may be to paint only the front facing fence panels and not the sides - to ensure your choice of paint or stain isn't visible at all from your neighbours garden, or alternatively, to use the same paint/stain used by your neighbours for consistency.' 3. Repairing broken panels According to the study, a tenth (11 per cent) of Brits said a neighbour's fence was in need of complete replacement, 7 per cent noted that structural repairs were required to neighbour's fence and another 4 per cent claimed their neighbour's fences needed cosmetic repair. Jimmy explains what to do in this situation. 'Even if a boundary fence needs to be completely replaced, you're still not legally allowed to repair it without seeking permission first, if it's owned by your neighbour. 'It's best to start by having a polite conversation about the work that's required. Some homeowners offer to split the costs, despite not owning the fence, especially if it means they also have a say and a view of the type of fence that gets installed. 'However if that doesn't work, and the damage is posing a safety risk to your property, then you may need to consider seeking legal advice. 'Another option, if you're after a quicker, although more costly, solution that puts you in control of the situation, would be to sacrifice some of your own perimeter land to install your own fence. 'It's also worth noting if you're planning to install a new fence, that in the UK, back garden fences must be no taller than two metres, otherwise you need to seek planning permission from the local authority.' 4. Hanging decorations from a neighbour's fence "If it's your neighbour who owns the fence, you must seek permission from them before making any changes to the side facing into your property, this includes decorative modifications like hanging fairy lights, or drilling holes to attach mirrors or hanging bird feeders. 'If your neighbour does give permission, and your alterations cause structural damage, for instance hanging a mirror that's too heavy for the fence, you may be liable to cover the cost of repair or replacement of the fence. 'If you own the fence, you can decorate the area however you like, as long as it doesn't place your neighbour or their property at risk. 5. Planting a tall tree near a neighbour's fence ' If you're thinking of planting a tall tree near a shared fence, it's best to speak to your neighbours beforehand and seek permission as it could disrupt their right to light if this impacts the light previously enjoyed in rooms of your neighbour's home. 'Secondarily, over time, the tree's roots could grow deeper and spread into the neighbouring garden, potentially causing structural damage with the possibility of them then having the right to pursue legal action against you.'