Great Tits - pin-ups for a new RSPB marketing initiative
The RSPB had a stall manned by burlesque dancers dressed in feathers, encouraging visitors to “come and frolic in our wetlands” and selling T-shirts emblazened with pairs of Great Tits and a Shag.
Tweeting on Monday, the RSPB London wrote “Lots of press from us being at #Erotica2010 – and lots of new members too – great weekend”.
In more traditional behaviour, the RSPB is warning bird lovers this week of a nippy winter ahead and offer the following advice on their website:
1. Feed birds regularly, especially in severe weather. Set up a bird table and use high calorie seed mixes. This can also be used to put out kitchen scraps such as grated cheese, pastry and porridge oats.
2. Put out hanging bird feeders for black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts.
3. Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but DO NOT use any antifreeze products.
4. Put out fruit, such as apples and pears, for blackbirds, song thrushes and other members of the thrush family.
5. Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees is a great help for treecreepers, goldcrests and many other species.
6. Put up nest boxes to provide roost sites for the smaller birds. They will then be used for breeding later in the year.
