These tips for how to keep garden birds fed in winter will not only help out your garden birds, but will also get you spending time outside during the part of the year when we all spend much more time indoors. Watching your garden visitors can also bring some joy to your day, and increase your well-being over winter, all while you help out the wildlife in your garden. Keep reading for tips on:
- Suet balls or blocks
- Nuts, seeds and mealworms
- Keeping feeders clean
- Fresh, ice-free water
- Ground feeders
1. Suet balls and blocks
Suet balls, fat balls and blocks are nutritious food for garden birds. From balls that can be easily hung up in trees or from the edges of birdhouses, to suet blocks that can be hung in special block hangers so birds can get to them quickly, they are a great source of energy for birds during a tough time of year for them. They can be bought, or you can make your own at home, a great option if you want to get the kids involved.
2. Nuts, seeds and mealworms
There is a massive choice of seed mixes for garden birds. If you observe which birds already visit your garden, you can focus on ensuring that your seed mixes are appropriate. If you’d like to attract different species, try adding a few different feeders, and including a range of nuts and seeds, so there is something for as many species as possible, or for the ones you'd most like to attract! You’ll find so much joy in spotting new birds visiting over the winter months.
3. Keeping feeders clean
When you top up your bird feeders, make sure they are kept clean to ensure there is no spread of diseases between birds. When your feeders are empty, take the opportunity to scrub them with warm soapy water and then rinse them well, dry and refill them. Check over your bird tables and baths and keep them clean as well.
4. Fresh ice-free water
Imagine a meal without a drink to wash it down! Water can be supplied in bird baths or even in plant trays left on a table. The addition of stones can be helpful as well, providing perches, and helping birds and other wildlife reach the water. Birds will bathe and drink from your water source, so if there has been a frost, ensure it hasn't frozen over, and that they can still get to the water.
5. Ground feeders
Some birds feed on a bird table, while others prefer to feed from the ground. Most will do both, but during the months when food is scarce, and birds need to save as much energy as possible to get through the cold weather, spreading some bird food, such as mealworms, on the ground will be helpful as well. A ground feeder can help keep the food contained and prevent it getting too damp.
In store, you will find plenty of bird food and accessories to help your garden birds this winter.
