February is National Bird Feeding month in the United States - so we thought we’d jump on the bandwagon and offer you some information about how to help feed your feathered garden visitors this winter!
But first…let’s take a look at who you can expect to welcome to your garden…
Dunnock
Song thrush
Chaffinch
Wren
Treecreeper
Goldfinch
Starling
House sparrow
Blackbird
Blue tit
Great tit
Robin
Greenfinch
Collared dove
Siskin
Sparrowhawk
Brambling
Feral ring-necked parakeet
Fieldfare
Redwing
Mistle
Song thrush
Blackbird
Great spotted woodpecker
Nuthatch
Coal tit
Marsh tit
Long-tailed tit
Blackcap
Blackbird
So what can I feed the birds in my garden?
Bird seed mixtures containing:
Flaked maize
Black or striped sunflower seeds
Peanut granules - buy them from a reputable dealer as they contain high levels of natural toxins which can be poisonous
Millet
Wheat and barley
Pinhead oatmeal
Split peas, beans
Dried rice
Lentils
Nyjer seeds
Fat balls, bird cake and suet
Lard and beef suet
Mealworms and waxworms
Meaty tinned pet food
Fresh coconut - rinse out the middle to prevent black mildew building up
Breakfast cereals or uncooked oats in small quantities only
Brown or white rice, cooked or uncooked
Finely chopped, unsalted bacon rind
Crumbled bread is ok in small quantities
Mildly grated cheese
Baked potatoes
Dried fruit such as raisins, saltines and currants (do not pout these in areas dogs or cats might eat them)
Apples and pears
Pastry
Don’t forget fresh water is just as important - make sure you check that it isn’t frozen over during the colder days
Don’t forget that different foods will attract different birds - make sure you do your research on suitable foods before laying out your banquet.
And what should I NOT feed them?
Milk - their gut is not designed to digest it
Desiccated coconut - it may swell inside their stomach
Dry pet biscuits - it is a choking hazard
Cooked porridge oats - these could harden around a bird’s beak
Dead or discoloured mealworms - these could cause problems such as salmonella poisoning
Salted or dry roasted peanuts
Avoid seed mixture containing green or pink lumps of dog biscuit as they can only be eaten when soaked
Polyunsaturdated margarines or vegetable oils
Salt - garden birds in particular are unable to metabolise them
Why will it help by providing food for these birds?
Natural food sources are harder to come by in winter - foods such as insects and fruit are nowhere to be found. The ground is frozen, winds can blow away food sources such as seeds (which are not readily available at this time of year anyway due to low flowering frequencies), and rain water can make food inedible. Shorter daylight hours also means there’s less time to spend looking for food.
By supplying high fat foods during cold winter months, it will help birds to maintain their fat reserves to survive extra cold and frosty nights. Good nutrition during winter also helps to prepare them for mating when spring arrives.
Don’t forget, that food limitations aren’t just restricted to colder months - this can happen any time of the year. Make sure you adjust your food types and feeding activity accordingly.
If you’re feeling inspired to help, here’s a few of our favourite ideas for you to try…
For more information, take a look at this article “How to Attract & Look After Birds In Your Garden”
by Chris Lee at Up Gardener