Tips on Feeding Wild Garden Birds
Get the right food in the right feeder
There are basically five different types of bird feeder, plus you can use a bird table or simply spread food on the ground. For more info on which food goes with which feeder and which birds prefer which method of feeding, go to bird feeder guide.
Put out clean water
Clean drinking water becomes really important for some species when the weather affects the supply of their preferred foods. For example, Blackbirds ideally feed earthworms to their young, but dry weather can mean they become more reliant on foods you put out which is fine, but it doesn't provide the level of moisture found in 'natural' foods such as earthworms.
Birds also need clean water for bathing, to keep clean and to keep their feathers in good condition. Again, tap water is best and you'll need to clean any algae build up from your bird bath regularly using a stiff brush - but no detergent (unless it's a special kind like some of the ones www.haiths.com have available).
And in winter, don't forget to break the ice on the water!
Keep any feeders and feeding areas clean
From time to time, you may find a dead or dying bird near where you have your feeders. This is because birds can contract Salmonella poisoning or a condition called Tricomoniasis if you don't keep feeders and the area around them clean. So:
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Clear up any husks every few days - they're great for a compost heap as worms love them! And if you don't have time, use a no-mess mix like Premium Garden Friendly.
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Clean any feeders, including bird tables, every few weeks using a proper disinfectant, making sure you rinse thoroughly.
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Move your feeders or bird table to a different position every couple of weeks to give the ground underneath time to recover.
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Keep your bird bath clean and drain out any soiled water before you refill it. |
Where to store food and how long for
Keep your bird food in a cool, dry place, like a garage, ideally in a plastic storage tub with a lid, and it will keep for 3 to 6 months. What's more important is how long you leave food out for the birds (although this often isn't an issue because it won't be there long enough to create a problem!). So:
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If food gets damp or wet, remove it after two days or so.
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Food in a tube or soft-food feeder should be fine for up to 10 days
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If extreme wet and windy weather makes food damp in a tube feeder, remove it and put fresh in.
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Peanuts in mesh feeders can go mouldy after about a week in damp conditions so you'll need to replace them.
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Suet blocks and fat balls also suffer when it's damp so replace them as soon as there are any signs of mould.
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Click here for Bill's tips on bird feeders |
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