As temperatures drop and natural food becomes scarce, garden birds rely more heavily on our feeders for survival. But while topping them up is a kind gesture, could your well-intentioned efforts be doing more harm than good?
According to Sean McMenemy, founder of Ark Wildlife, popular kitchen scraps such as bread or bakery goods offer little nutritional value to birds and can lead to health problems. Birds might enjoy eating it, but it could actually harm them.
‘Bread is very low in the nutrients birds need, such as protein, fat, and vitamins,’ says Sean. ‘It can also cause problems: stale or damp bread can grow mould that leads to breathing infections, and wet bread can harbour harmful bacteria such as salmonella and e-coli.’
Instead, safer scraps include chopped fruit, plain cooked vegetables, unsalted rice or pasta, and uncooked oats mixed with seeds or suet. Sunflower seeds or suet pellets are also great for keeping birds happy and healthy. You can pop these into bird feeders or fill a small shallow tray with treats (keep an eagle eye on greedy squirrels and foxes).
Ingunn B. Haslekaas//Getty Images
You’ll also want to make sure you’re offering foods that suit the birds visiting your garden. ‘Dominant birds like magpies and starlings can take over feeding areas if the wrong foods are offered,’ adds Sean, who notes that magpies prefer natural foods like peanuts, fruit, or suet.
‘Starlings often come in large groups, but they usually avoid small seeds like niger or grains such as wheat and rolled oats. Using feeders designed for specific species helps smaller birds like finches, tits, robins, and blackbirds feed safely. Squirrel-proof or small hanging feeders can help limit their access.’
Don’t forget to keep water bowls topped up, especially during frosty days when it may freeze over.
Follow House Beautiful on TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest
Our favourite celebrity gardeners
David Beckham
David Beckham is a dedicated gardener at his Cotswolds home, where he tends to a large vegetable patch and enjoys harvesting produce like carrots, courgettes and onions himself.
You can follow all of his green-fingered projects over on his Instagram, and his wife Victoria Beckham frequently shares updates on her Stories, too.
WPA Pool//Getty Images
Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley is not only a celebrated broadcaster but also a passionate gardener. She has spoken about the joy she finds in her garden, particularly in creating naturalistic planting schemes and encouraging wildlife – and she has even collaborated on several RHS garden over the years.
Follow her on Instagram for the occasional tour of her garden.
Jeff Spicer//Getty Images
Kate Moss
In 2022, former supermodel Kate Moss left the hustle and bustle of London behind and permanently relocated to her Cotswolds home in Little Faringdon, where she reportedly grows her own veg. More of a secret gardener, Kate doesn’t post about her green activity, but you can find numerous photos of her countryside plot online.
Edward Berthelot//Getty Images
Will Young
Pop Idol’s first-ever winner, Will Young, is not just passionate about singing. His garden makes a frequent appearance on his Instagram feed and he has spoken about how spending time surrounded by greenery helps him ‘deal with his PTSD’.
C Brandon/Redferns//Getty Images
Stacey Solomon
When Stacey Solomon doesn’t look glamorous on TV, she is an avid hobby gardener, who says growing her own vegetables and keeping chickens ‘feed her soul’. On her Instagram, you’ll find countless photos shared from her garden, whether it’s Stacey beaming next to her homegrown brassicas or cuddling her toddlers among daffodils.
Tim Whitby/BAFTA//Getty Images
Jim Carter
The Downton Abbey actor discovered his love of gardening during the pandemic, when he and his wife Imelda Staunton spent all of their time outside. In 2023, Jim campaigned for gardening and horticulture to be added to the national curriculum, saying ‘Children need to put their phones away and get out into the garden.’
John Phillips//Getty Images
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
Comments are closed.