FEEDING WILD BIRDS - SIMPLE TIPS FOR HEALTHY BIRDS
- Bradshaws
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Feeding wild birds is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy wildlife and support birds in your local area. It can be especially helpful when natural food is harder to find, and it also brings more nature into your everyday life.
BIRDS BENEFIT FROM FEEDING ALL YEAR ROUND, NOT JUST IN WINTER With a few simple habits, you can help keep visiting birds safe and thriving year-round. Providing fresh food and water, keeping feeders clean and avoiding overcrowding all help create a safe and healthy feeding environment.
THE GOLDEN RULES....
PROVIDE A VARIETY OF GOOD-QUALITY FOODS Different bird species eat different foods, so offering a range will support more birds and allow them to choose what they need.
KEEP FOOD FRESH AND DRY Only put out as much food as birds are likely to eat quickly. Remove wet, mouldy or spoiled food
KEEP FEEDERS AND BIRDBATHS CLEAN Clean feeding and watering equipment regularly, ideally at least once a week and more often if you see signs of illness.
SPREAD BIRDS OUT Use several feeders or feeding areas where possible. This helps reduce crowding and lowers the risk of disease transmission.
PROVIDE FRESH WATER Clean, fresh water is just as important as food, especially in dry or freezing weather.
WATCH FOR SIGNS OF DISEASE If birds look fluffed up, lethargic, reluctant to move or have difficulty swallowing, take extra care with hygiene and review your feeding setup.
CHOOSE FEEDER LOCATIONS CAREFULLY Place feeders where birds can feed safely, with access to nearby cover, but not so close to dense cover that predators such as cats can ambush them.
CREATE A BIRD-FRIENDLY ECOSYSTEM Wildlife-friendly gardening, including planting for insects, berries and seeds, can help provide natural food and shelter.
WHAT TO FEED: Not all birds eat the same foods, so offering a variety will help attract a wider range of species to your garden. Offer a mix of foods, such as: • Sunflower seeds or hearts. • Peanuts (only in appropriate feeders). • Suet or fat-based foods. • Seeds and seed mixes. • Fruit, such as apples or berries. • Live or dried insects.
WHAT TO AVOID: Avoid feeding human foods such as desiccated coconut, salty foods like crisps or salted nuts. Never feed milk, and avoid offering any spoiled or mouldy food
With these simple steps, you can support wild birds all year round. From colder months when natural food is harder to find, to spring and summer when birds are nesting and raising young, thoughtful feeding can make a real difference. As the seasons change, so do their needs, and by feeding responsibly and keeping areas clean, you can help birds thrive while reducing the risk of disease
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