Scottish Water has recently emerged from convincing the Chair of Inveraray Community Council that the seasonal problems with the towns waste water system were self-inflicted. As For Argyll reported, Garret Corner, having seen the evidence, now accepts that the problem was down to the persistent habit of hoteliers and householders of pouring waste oils and fats from cooking down the sink.

Of course this causes particularly large conglomerations of congealed fats in the system at the major communal holidays like Christmas and Hogmanay – and it did.

Anyway, on the back of the Valentine’s Day that is almost upon us, Scottish Water – lumping all birds into the handy category of ‘lovebirds’ – has come up with a very neat idea to persuade people to change the habit of washing it all down the sink. It’s asking us to think of how much we could benefit birds feeling the pinch of short rations in these cold, hard days.

In the company’s own words: ‘Use the fats and grease from those romantic Valentine’s Day meals to feed the local birds. Use either a fat trap, which is a special plastic pot with a screw top lid or alternatively use a yoghurt pot or similar plastic container to put the fat in.

‘Let garden birds know you’re thinking of them by mixing ingredients such as nuts, seeds and dried fruit into the fat to provide a tasty and nutritious treat. This will not only benefit our feathered friends but it can also help to protect the environment in the process’.

James Reynolds from RSPB agrees. He too is encouraging Scottish Water’s customers to love their feathered friends at this time of year. ‘Feeding birds in the garden is a popular activity – over half of adults in the UK feed birds in their garden. Providing birds with supplementary food brings them closer for us to marvel at their exciting behaviour and wonderful colours. Feeding birds is also an easy way to start teaching children about wildlife.

‘It’s best to give birds highly nutritious and calorific food during this cold period, so making fat traps with surplus fat that solidifies is an ideal way to dispose of kitchen waste that would otherwise cause a big nuisance. This can be added to a mixture of ingredients such as seeds, nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal, cheese and cake and is sure to attract a range of birds to gardens.

‘When done responsibly and hygienically, feeding garden birds, especially in the winter time when food availability is reduced, is really important to see our feathered friends through the lean times’.

It’s a triple whammy, really:

• feed birds who badly need the nutrition
• divert the oils and fats that clog the drains and pumps into doing good to Argyll’s fantastic wildlife
• save Scottish Water’s resources to develop Argyll’s waste water infrastructure rather than constantly engage in avoidable recovery operations.

Look at the happy, greasy-chopped Greater Spotted Woodspecker above – which Scotland is fortunate enough to have around. It’s a no brainer.

The photograph of the Greater Spotted (male) Woodpecker enjoying his fatty birdcake has been provided  by Scottish Water with permission to reproduce it here.