Britons can help ensure birds come back to their gardens this weekend using a common kitchen staple, an expert says. With temperatures dropping as we head towards Christmas, it’s important to give garden birds a bit of extra support as they battle the elements.
During colder periods, birds need fat reserves and extra energy to keep going, and it’s tougher for them to find food when the ground is frozen over and they can’t access their favourite prey, like worms and insects. Birds do an important job in gardens going after pests that cause damage and disease in plants, so it’s a good idea to make your outside space as welcoming as possible for them.
And while the winged creatures love chowing down to be seeds and grains, it’s not the only thing you can lay on for them.
Richard Jones, gardener at Garden Organic, shared some common and inexpensive items birds are partial to, including uncooked rolled oats.
The gardening guru says these “offer slow-release carbs (just as they would for humans) alongside protein and vitamins”.
However, he stresses that the “key to this food is the ‘uncooked’ part”, and they “must be placed somewhere dry”. This is because if absorb water, “they may get stuck in the birds’ beaks, acting like glue,” Richard added.
If you don’t have some already, Tesco sells 1kg packs of Grower’s Harvest Porridge Oats for just 85p, which will give you plenty for your own breakfasts and for your feathered friends.
Among the other alternative food options Richard suggests are apples and pears, though he advises using your own stored ones or buy organic “so you know they’ve not been sprayed with pesticides”.
“Core and take out the pips as these are toxic to birds and chop them into quarters,” he added, saying apple and pear pieces are useful as they “provide a source of valuable winter vitamins and water”.
“Scattered on the ground, they can be good for blackbirds and thrushes.”
You can also try adding some raisins and sultanas to your offering, but its important to ensure they’re “plain without any coatings or additives”, and soaked in hot water first to soften them.
Once they’ve cooled, the softer texture will help to aid digestion, he says.
“Dried fruits are full of energy to keep birds fuelled over winter. However, make sure you add them to a bird table or feeder, somewhere up high, as dried fruits are extremely toxic to dogs, cats and hedgehogs.
“You could also combine them with things like sunflower seeds and hard fats such as lard or suet to make a pinecone bird feeder,” he added.
“These high calorie combinations are particular good for when the temperatures drop as they help the birds keep warm and stay active.”
Richard says shop-bought bird food “can be packed with fillers such as dried pulses, which birds rarely eat – and these products can also have a footprint. Peanuts and nyger seeds are transported long distances. And a lot of commercially produced birdseed is also packaged in unnecessary plastic.
“Providing your own bird food can save money, and recycle what you already have in the garden or kitchen cupboard. When using household scraps and leftovers try to think about what might be available in the wild, and add to feeders in small quantities.
“Always ensure the foods don’t contain salt or sugar, and they’re not mouldy.”
He adds that it’s also important to make sure birds have a “water source alongside any food you put out, so they can hydrate and clean themselves”.
Like humans, birds need a balanced and varied diet to stay healthy. The RSPCA previously shared a breakdown all the different kinds of food birds go for, including one item that’s a fixture in dinners across the country.
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