A guide to feeding wild birds

Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus photograph by J.B & S Bottomley

Location

Find a suitable place for your feeding station. Ensure clear visibility and flight paths for the birds - and a good view for yourself if you can!

Water

Try to provide water for both drinking and bathing. Keep it fresh and ice-free in winter.

Variety

The more variety you can offer, the better it is for your garden birds. Try a good combination of table foodstuffs (seeds, fruit, kitchen scraps, feeder foods), nuts (in mesh containers only) and seeds. There are specially formulated feeder seeds suited only to the birds that will use a polycarbon feeder.

Hygiene

Keep your table clean. Ensure feeders have good drainage. Damp seed will quickly go mouldy and be a threat to the health of your garden birds. Watch the condition of your foodstuffs and store them somewhere cool and dry.

Aflatoxins

These are tasteless, odourless and colourless toxins produced by the Aspergillus flavus fungus, developing on peanuts in conditions of high temperature and humidity. Toxins are absorbed directly into the body fat and, because birds do not carry much fat, they are particularly susceptible. Large numbers of garden birds are believed to be dying as a result. Many peanuts are tested at their point of origin but since much of the contamination can occur in transit, any certificates are virtually worthless. If you cannot be sure the peanuts you buy are safe, don't buy them.

Keep regular

Birds will soon get used to visiting your feeders - wasting a lot of energy if they are empty! All-year-round feeding is now approved - but follow the above guidelines. Variety is particularly important at fledging time - site your feeders near to sources of natural foodstuffs such as insect-rich plants and shrubs.

Sally Pyner

Other items that may be of interest:

• Building bird nest boxes
• How you can help birds

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