Making dumplings yourself
Tits in the winter
Tits belong to the family of sparrows. In contrast to many other bird species, they do not count as migratory birds, but spend winter in our latitudes. They are equipped accordingly to cope with the local food supply. In fact, each year the tits are surprised by whether they find enough to eat or not.
While they fall back on insects of all kinds in the warm season, they are dependent in winter on a completely different diet. Tree seeds, nuts and grains of all kinds are preferred by the tits. Not always, the temperatures are so that the tits a sufficient food supply is available. At least with the first minus temperatures, they need support in the form of additional feeding places, as they are offered by the wild feeding stations and beyond many well-meaning people.
The right meis food
Tits appreciate a so-called fat food. It gives them energy and helps their metabolism to withstand the cold temperatures and weather the winter well. Ideal food supplies are nuts that are rich in nutritious fats, such as hazelnuts, peanuts or walnuts. Sunflower seeds are also popular and suitable. Thanks to their small and pointed beaks, titmice can easily crack the seeds.
When designing a feeding place, it is important to observe hygiene measures. The titmice should not be able to walk around in the food and have no opportunity to drop feces in the food. Otherwise, other birds will be infected by possible pathogens via the feed. Even water points should be designed accordingly. Suitable feed dispensers from which the grains of the tits can be removed in portions. Particularly popular and ideal for feeding of tits are the so-called Meisenknödel. They are easy to make themselves and are accepted by the animals gladly. Anyone who hangs dumplings on different parts of their own garden can observe the birds eating in winter over many weeks.
Homemade chicken dumplings
Top priority in making a dumpling: Cooked food, bread, bacon, salty and sugar are taboo. The tits do not tolerate this food badly, they could also die of it in an emergency.
The preparation of the dumplings is not a problem. Only two components are needed: fat and grains. Coconut fat or beef tallow are suitable as fat. The latter is to get the butcher of confidence.
Ingredients for about two tennis ball sized dumplings:
- 200 g of coconut oil or beef tallow,
- 50 g whole grain oatmeal,
- 50 g sunflower seeds,
- 50 g of hazelnuts,
- 50 grams of peanuts.
The fat is heated in the pot until it is soft and supple. The remaining ingredients are stirred in and made into a homogeneous pulp. The lukewarm mass is formed into balls and filled into a small net. The net is attached to a tree by means of a drawstring at eye level.
Pros and cons Feeding of free living birds
The question of active feeding is discussed hotly every year. There is probably no clear and correct answer.
It is uncontested that a large number of tits do not survive a cold, even a moderately cold winter without feed aid. It is not about a well-meant treat extra, but actually about pure survival. Since there are hardly any insects in winter, tits are dependent on grains. If the soil is permanently frozen, they have no chance of sufficient nutrition. Feeding stations and feeding aids actually keep the animals alive. They also serve the protection of species and the preservation of populations.
On the other hand, some conservationists say that winter feeding would disrupt the ecological balance and hinder natural selection among birds. Migratory birds on their return from southern climes would encounter too few nesting sites due to the high level of competition.
What experiences have you had with the feeding of tits or other bird species in winter? Are you positive or critical towards active supplementation?
