Feeding Wild Birds

Feeding wild birds in winter.

First of all, thank you for your interest in birds and for your kind offer to feed them. While feeding birds in the summer is optional as birds can fend for themselves, if you do start feeding them in the fall and over winter, please note they will need feeding regularly and with good quality and consistent amount of food throughout the winter. 

During winter, we recommend you gather the following which will be helpful:

• Feeders and feeding stations
• Water stations (or fountains)
• Seeds (sunflower, Nyjer, grains) 
• Cereals (any, but please do not give cooked oats to avoid blockages around bird's beaks) 
• Rice can also be given, white and dark, cooked for wild birds, uncooked for pigeons, doves and pheasants 
• Nuts (peanuts and other nuts...)
• Fruit especially berries (birds also feed off winter berry trees, so think to plant one in your garden)
• Breadcrumbs, cheese - in small quantities are good for some birds 

Food feeders need cleaning weekly.

Please note birds also need access to fresh, clean water daily. They use it for both drinking and for the cleaning of their feathers (fountain type of equipment is ideal for that). These need cleaning regularly, ideally daily.

An extensive article about feeding bids in winter can be found here: https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/article/what-feed-birds-winter

Please take a great care of your garden birds and enjoy feeding them and their presence. They can be a great companion in our darker and greyer gardens over winter and will bring much joy when spring arrives. 

For more information, we can recommend you contact the https://www.rspb.org.uk but also your local rescues and bird lovers’ groups. Useful information for local birds’ species can be found here: https://northantsbirds.com. 

You can also contact us and we will be happy to help, provide additional information or help you find a local bird (or other animal) rescue centres.