The feeding begins only when the beaches in the area are frozen, as the purpose is not to attract birds to stay for the winter. The feeding is continued until spring. The feeding is organised in cooperation between the Urban Environment Division, the construction service Stara and the Helsinki Region Ornithological Society Tringa.
Volunteers take food to birds in Tokoinranta on a daily basis and keep the feeding area clean. The food given to birds is grain grown locally in the fields of Haltiala. Approximately 20,000 to 25,000 kilograms of grain are consumed each year, and up to 2,200 birds visit the feeding spot every day.
Usually the grain is spread on ice near the edge of the ice so that it is easier for birds in the water to eat it. This is also to ensure that the food attracts no rats.
City of Helsinki Environmental Services wishes to remind you that the feeding of birds must not cause a rat or waste problem in the environment. Birds should not be fed by throwing food directly on the ground. In the summer, feeding is not necessary for the birds to survive. Birds naturally shy away from people, and you should therefore consider carefully whether feeding them is necessary. The city, private landowners and housing companies have the right to prohibit the feeding of birds on their territory. Such prohibitions are necessary when birds become familiar with people and may cause harm.
Bird feeder checklist:
- Only feed birds with food that is suitable for them.
- If you start feeding birds, you should continue it until spring.
- Throw the food in the water for the birds to reach, not on the ground. This will prevent the food from feeding rats.
- Feed birds without making a mess.
