Feeding through spring and summer

Feeding through spring and summer

Year-round feeding for our garden birds is really important – even in the spring and summer when some people mistakenly believe that our feathered friends no longer require supplementary food. The truth is that they need our help now more than ever as our bird populations are in decline due to the loss of habitat and natural resources.

Although you are not looking to replace their regular food such as insects, seeds and berries, you are aiming to provide extra to make up for shortfalls in their diet and to make life a little easier.

Spring is a really busy time for the birds as they enter the breeding and nesting season, hatching the next generation and working hard to rear them.

Here’s some helpful ways in which you can support your garden visitors over the spring and summer months:

1 - Hang several small feeders in different parts of the garden, along with a small amount on the ground to appeal to birds that prefer to feed with both feet on the ground.

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2 – Make a range of food – seeds, peanuts, suet and mealworms – available. It’s packed with protein and fats to provide plenty of energy and will help maintain body weight.

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3 – Suet-based feeds, mealworms and calciworms are great for females over the summer to respond to the needs of female breeding birds.

Hygiene is King

It’s really important that all feeding equipment is kept clean to help avoid the risk of disease among our garden birds.  Here’s some top tips:

1 – Clean and wash bird feeders on a regular basis. Once a week is ideal.

2 – Give your bird bath a daily clean and fill it with chlorinated tap water.

3 – The more feeders you pop in the garden, the less competition there will be between birds. It also avoids the risk of disease caused by too many birds flocking together in a small area.

4 – Avoid putting food on flat surfaces as it carries a higher risk of spreading disease.

5 -  Site feeders several metres from cover and move location regularly to keep things nice and clean.

6 – Ensure your feeder design protects food from the elements, keeping it as dry as possible. Don’t overfill and put out enough to last a few days.

7 – Sweep the ground as often as possible and avoid putting large quantities directly on to the ground as this will attract pests.

8 – Always wash your hands after handling the feeder or food.