The next few months are vital for young birds as they leave the nest and take their first flights, but gardeners can help by providing food – and it needn’t cost a fortune
Gardeners have been urged to put rice out on bird tables this spring(Image: Getty)
Gardeners across the UK are being encouraged to sprinkle cooked rice on their bird tables this summer to support struggling birds during the crucial fledgling season. The upcoming months are a pivotal period for British birds, as many species witness their offspring leaving the nest and venturing into the world as fledglings.
With numerous bird species facing threats from habitat loss, a decline in food sources like insects, climate change, and pollution, garden enthusiasts are urged to lend a hand by providing sustenance, which will also benefit the young birds. Thankfully, aiding our feathered friends doesn’t require splashing out on expensive bird seeds from garden centres.
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Gardeners have been urged to put rice out on bird tables this spring(Image: Alex Evans)
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has suggested that items such as pastry, cooked rice (emphasising it must be cooked, never raw), and breadcrumbs can be offered to birds occasionally, in addition to fruits like apples, pears, and various seeds and nuts.
The RSPB recommended: “When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of seed, peanuts, suet and mealworms.” They also added that “fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and Blackbirds.”
Moreover, the RSPB advised that “household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally.”
It’s crucial to cook the rice first, as uncooked rice can cause digestive issues in birds, which is one of the reasons throwing rice at weddings fell out of popularity. So always use cooked rice, never raw.
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Gardeners also need to clean your bird table regularly and clean up any uneaten food, the Express reported. Whatever you leave out, be sure to clear away any uneaten food at the end of the day, and clean any bird table regularly.
This is because the RSPB recently pulled flat bird tables from sale while it investigates the possible spread of disease it says could be caused by flat tables, due to food being left out exposed to the elements. It recommends cleaning bird tables, as well as nesting boxes, regularly and removing any uneaten food.
By simply doing this simple task, gardeners will ensure birds receive enough nutrients to survive in the upcoming months and colder seasons as they leave their nests. It doesn’t cost a fortune, nor does it require any extra time or effort on top of other gardening tasks – just make sure that it remains clean at all times.