Wildlife Help Please

[dinki]

Can anyone help with the following:-

My grandfather used to put glycerine drops in the water for his aviary birds in winter to stop it freezing, can anyone advise if this would be ok to do for wildbirds (I do not want to hurt them).

Also my mother in the west midlands saw a bird on her bird table briefly it was brown/beige with a red beak a little bigger than a pigeon (feral)

Can anyone help

[Milvus]

You should not put anything in water for birds to stop it freezing. Put out fresh (cold) water for them every morning.
The only bird of that size I can think of with a red beak is a red legged partridge

[NazNomad]

Large concentrations of glycerin must be used to prevent water from freezing. In order to lower the freezing point to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, you need a 30 percent glycerin solution. Glycerin is a low-level toxin and has a sweet taste. Birds that ingest large amounts of the substance will experience elevated blood sugar levels, causing hyperglycemia and possibly death. And if the birds bathe in the glycerin solution, it may cause their feathers to mat. Birds bathe and preen to enhance the insulation value of their feathers. Matted feathers are poor insulators and can be fatal in cold temperatures.

Float a table-tennis ball in there, or a stick, to stop it freezing as quickly.

..as above, the only bird I can think of fitting that description is a Partridge.

[NazNomad]

I linked to your Q here as well ... http://www.theanswerb...t/Question958202.html

[dinki]

Many thanks Naz and Milvus, glad I asked I would hate to hurt the birds, meanwhile I have five young squirrels in the garden at the moment all seem to have mastered how to get nuts out of the feeder, but it doesn't bother me they seem so hungry waited for me to put food out, so much be very hungry.

[woofgang]

oh bless so long as there is plenty for all