Gardening Articles
Feeding Wild Birds In Your Garden
I think most of us love to see birds visiting our gardens, they make us feel closer to nature, entertain us with their antics and bring a little colour and life to our gardens.
Most of us however probably only think to feed them during the winter, but food shortages can occur all year round.
So, what are the best ways to attract a variety of garden birds, and when and what should we be feeding them?
What Birds Can You Expect To Attract
This depends on the bird populations in your area, and the kind of bird feed you put out. The best way to have a chance of attracting the most varieties of bird possible is to provide as wide a variety of feeds as you can.
Birds you can expect to attract easily are, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, robins, greenfinches and collared doves. You may also see thrushes, woodpeckers, and various other finches.
When and What To Feed
Autumn and Winter
Food and water should be put out on a regular basis. In bad weather, feed twice daily if possible in the morning and in the early afternoon. Birds require high energy foods during cold winter weather. They need to maintain their body fat reserves to survive. Black sunflower seeds, winter seed mixes, bird cakes and food bars which are fat based are ideal for winter. Use only good quality food and scraps adjusting the quantity given to meet the demand, never allow uneaten foods to gather around the feeders. Establish a feeding routine, and try to stick to it, and you will soon find your local bird population know when to visit!
Spring and Summer
During the summer months birds require high protein foods. Black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese, mealworms, waxworms, mixes for insectivorous birds, good seed mixtures without loose peanut are all suitable. Soft apples, pears cut in half, bananas and grapes are also useful.
How to Feed
A simple bird table will suit most species, or a tray with a raised rim to retain the food but with corners cut away to allow drainage of rainwater. There are also a huge range of nut feeders, and seed feeders available. Food can be put on the ground but this can encourage rats and mice and makes the birds more vulnerable to attack from predators, or the family cat!
Basic Hygiene
Wash and clean bird tables, trays and feeding mechanisms regularly with a 5 percent solution of disinfectant.
Only put out as much food on tables and trays as will be consumed during the day.
Change water containers daily and always rinse them out to remove any food or droppings that have contaminated the container.
Keep all feeding areas as clean as possible do not allow build up of food and droppings as these attract vermin and provide breeding grounds for parasites and bacteria.
Wash all containers outdoors, wear gloves when handling items and always wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap.