It’s a crucial time of the year for birds and experts have shared how you can help this summer
Gardeners have been asked to leave two fruits on their lawn to help young birds(Image: Getty)
Leaving food out for the birds in the winter months is standard practice in many gardens across the country. However, experts say that the summer months, and particularly this month, our feathered friends could do with a helping hand too.
In August, robins, starlings, blackbirds and sparrows will watch their young fly the nest as the venture out to find food themselves. And householders are being asked to leave two specific fruits on their lawns and in bird feeders to benefit the fledglings.
Depending on the time of the year, gardeners should leave out different foods from suet and mealworms to sunflower seeds and uncooked oats.
In August, the ideal grub for them is a cheap option. Chopped up apples or pears left on the lawn or on a bird feeder or table is ideal sustenance for them, reports The Express.
A pack of six gala apples are priced at £1.49 in Tesco – which works out around 25p per apple, while a large loose pear will cost around 52p.
The RSPB says: “You can put out leftovers such as dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears.
“Don’t use anything mouldy or salty, though, and if you have a dog, don’t put out dried fruit – vine fruits, such as raisins, can be toxic to them. Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds.”
Different birds feed in different locations – some prefer to “ground feed” instead of coming to a bird table.
The RSPB says: “Blackbirds are too large to access most hanging bird feeders. To attract them to your garden, it’s best to put out food on a bird table or scatter it on the ground.”
If leaving food on the ground, though, make sure it is in a wide-open location, away from hedges and anywhere a cat could hide. Birds will not feed where they cannot keep themselves safe from predators like cats, or could be exposed to risk if forced to feed near cat hiding places.
A single male Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) on the ground next to an apple that has been pecked at. The apple has been put out in a garden to feed the birds over the winter.(Image: Getty)
If you do use a bird table, be sure to clean it regularly with hot, soapy water if it is flat. This is because the RSPB recently pulled flat, open bird tables from sale while it investigates whether these types of feeders could be contributing to the spread of disease.
The RSPB added: “Bird feeder hygiene is very important. Brush off debris every time you put out fresh food and scrub feeders with mild disinfectant solution weekly.”
Other garden experts have backed up how important summer bird feeding is. According to CJ Wildlife, birds need more energy in summer to help feed their young.
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The experts said: “Not long ago, many believed that garden birds should only be fed during the winter months. However, long-term studies have shown that offering food to garden birds year-round is beneficial, supporting declining species and allowing you to learn more about your garden visitors.
“Feeding wild birds during the summer helps busy parents top up feeders and provide all the natural food their young need. Well-stocked bird feeders can be a lifeline for young birds as they learn how and where to find food locally.
“Bird populations are at their highest in the summer, so a regular supply of quality food helps birds get the energy they need amid increased competition for natural foods.”
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