Bird Food
Look after the birds in your garden. Feed them seeds and household foods such as bread, pastry, cheese and bacon rinds. Don’t forget to put some on the ground for birds such as chaffinches.
Water is important to all birds for drinking and bathing. A shallow birdbath or upturned dustbin lid is ideal. Make sure you keep water ice-free in winter and replace water daily in the summer months.
Winter tips
- put out food and water on a regular basis
- use good quality seed mixes with lots of millet and sunflower seeds
- bread is great too – even if it is mouldy – but moisten if it is dry
- try ‘bird cake’ – pour melted suet or lard onto a mix of seeds, nuts, cake or dried fruits (1/3 fat to 2/3 mix), mould and cool.
Spring/Summer tips
- avoid fatty foods in summer – they can harm young birds
- put peanuts in rigid mesh – whole nuts can choke young chicks
- fresh fruit is always a hit with birds and insects
- birds adore dried fruit, such as raisins, sultanas and currants - make sure the fruit is soaked and softened for chicks in summer.
Bird feeders
Tables should be kept clean, using a mild disinfectant. If possible, move
your feeding station several times a year to prevent disease.
