Warming Feathered Hearts: Teaching Children to Care for Birds in Winter

Who will care for our feathered friends in winter if we don't? Food scarcity is one of the biggest challenges birds face during the cold months. Constantly searching for something to eat exhausts them, and their bodies require more sustenance than usual to combat the cold. But the cold isn't as dangerous as its combination with snow or ice, which can block access to food sources.

With our "singing brothers" in mind, and to foster ecological awareness and care for children who are without family warmth during the Christmas and New Year season, experts from the NGO "ForestCom" visited the children at the Child Support Center, which operates at the "Prosvita" Lyceum of the Lviv City Council. The support center at the "Prosvita" Lyceum is a safe haven for children in difficult life circumstances. Here, they receive the necessary assistance, expert support, and a safe space to live.

It was heartening to see that the children understood why small birds need our support during the cold season and how we can help them. They also knew what foods are safe for feeding birds in winter. These topics were the focus of a bird feeder-making workshop led by NGO "ForestCom" experts Ihor Skolskyi and Taras Kharachko.

Working alongside the experts, the children enthusiastically assembled the components of the bird feeders, creating three real hanging "houses" with reliable protection against snow and rain. The bird feeders were made even more special with the children's wax crayon drawings on the components. Some children approached the painting not only creatively but also very responsibly, creating real works of art!

The finished bird feeders, placed on the trees in the schoolyard, will not only help develop practical bird-watching skills but also serve as a reminder of the importance of caring for nature and the things that surround us.

A pleasant surprise for the children was the gifts from NGO "ForestCom", which will keep them warm during the cold season.

Remember the Rules: What to Feed Birds and What to Avoid:

To avoid harming birds, carefully select the products you use to fill bird feeders. It is important to follow three "no's": no salty, no spoiled, and no fried foods. Bread is also not recommended: rye bread can ferment in the stomach and lead to death.

Most birds prefer raw grains, such as millet, oats, barley, wheat, and raw nuts. Treat your feathered friends to sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, or melon seeds, or fresh berries and fruits. Raw lard or meat is an excellent source of energy for birds. However, it must be free of spices and salt.

It is important to feed birds no more than twice a day; otherwise, they will stop foraging for food on their own.

Don't forget to take care of our feathered friends, because without you, they may perish!

Related Articles on Feeding Birds (Ukrainian):

• About making a weather vane-type bird feeder by Taras Kharachko: "Eko-feeders from coconut: how to make?"