Keeping a feeder full in April might actually do more harm than good for birds (Image: Getty)
April is when the UK finally begins to enjoy sunnier weather, which means trees come into blossom, flowers start to bloom, and gardens will be filled with birds looking for food while nesting. For anyone who enjoys feeding birds, it can be tempting to keep feeders full to help support any newly hatched chicks, but this well-intentioned habit may do more harm than good.
The experts at The Awesome Wildlife Company have said that birds should not become accustomed to being fed by humans, as they need to learn to forage for themselves. They explained: “As the days grow longer and the natural food supply reaches its peak, it’s best to begin tapering off bird feeding in late spring, around April or May. At this point, resident birds such as robins, blackbirds, and thrushes have adapted to the abundance of insects and have become more proficient at finding food in their environment!”
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A feeder can stop baby chicks from learning basic survival skills (Image: Getty)Why should you stop feeding birds regularly in April?
April brings warmer weather, and with it a return of natural food sources such as seeds, berries, and worms, meaning birds should rely less on feeders.
Birds, especially baby chicks, need to be self-reliant and feeding them less at this time of year helps them learn how to forage so they know basic survival skills.
If birds never learn to become independent, they will struggle to stay alive in winter, and it will also mean chicks are not getting a varied diet, which can affect their growth.
However, this does not mean you should stop feeding birds altogether, as this could harm any birds that regularly visit your garden.
Instead, gradually reduce how often you refill your feeder during April, and during the warmer months, these birds will start naturally foraging for themselves again.
It is more helpful to keep a bird bath maintained in the warmer seasons (Image: Getty)What is the best way to help birds in spring?
Birds should be able to feed themselves once the temperature rises, but once summer arrives, it can bring new issues, like heatwaves and a lack of natural water sources.
One of the kindest things gardeners can do is make sure they have a bird bath somewhere in their garden, or start putting out shallow dishes with fresh water.
It is also important to clean bird feeders and bird tables regularly at this time of year, as warmer weather can encourage the spread of bacteria and increase the risk of disease among birds.
Try to also be careful about the food you are leaving out for birds, as they will benefit from soft foods such as soaked raisins that young chicks can easily digest and high-protein options like mealworms, which will help them grow strong.
Aim to slowly stop filling feeders regularly and reduce this to once, or perhaps twice, a week, which will greatly support your local birds in learning natural foraging habits and long-term resilience.
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