Every year it becomes harder for wild birds to find food because of ever increasing urbanisation.
Coming to their aid may be as simple as buying a packet of wild bird seed from the supermarket but offering a greater variety of food is rewarding for both the gardener and the birds.
Bear in mind, that feeding birds creates dependency. Birds soon fall into a routine, so it is important to feed regularly, if not daily, at the same time of the day.
Where to start
Do a little research on bird habits and habitat before setting up the bird buffet. This will help to identify which birds are visiting the garden and what kind of food you need to provide.
A combination of suet and seed feeders is ideal, as this will attract the best variety of birds to the garden. Ensure there is also a supply of fresh clean water for the birds.
Seed sense
When buying a ready-made mix, check for a blend of different seeds and opt for mixes with a higher proportion of sunflower seeds.
The black oil sunflower seeds are suitable for the small birds while the larger striped sunflower seeds can be cracked by birds with stronger bills. Better quality seed attracts more species and will provide better nutrition that boosts bird health.
Freshness is very important and check for any sign of mould, mildew or insect infestation. Mould and mildew are harmful to birds.
When selecting seed feeders, make sure that they are well designed to attract those birds we all want. Badly designed feeders will attract pigeons, who will devour everything and chase away smaller birds.
Serving suet
A high fat and protein feed, such as suet or bird grub, is necessary for most birds to maintain their energy levels and keep them warm.
Wild Wings suet (slabs or balls) and bird grub can be processed into smaller pellets. In this form it is enjoyed by many birds in the garden, especially the Cape Robin Chat, which will quickly dart in and grab a bit, then flit off to savour the treat in the undergrowth.
If it takes a while for the birds to start eating regularly, only put out a small amount and cut the remaining suet into pieces and store in the freezer.
Nummy nectar
A nectar feeder is another way to boosts the bird’s energy.
It is always better to buy a ready-made reputable mix for making nectar as this contains the correct combination of sugars and nutrients for nectar feeding birds.
Do not add any red dye to your nectar mix, including that found in food colouring. The dye is potentially toxic to birds.
For the fruit eaters
Fruit spoils quite quickly so it makes sense to only put out as much fruit as birds will eat in a day or two. Spoiled fruit also attracts rats.
Apples are the most popular and most universally accepted fruit to feed birds, and it is not necessary to peel or core the fruit before offering it to birds.
Cut fresh fruit cut into large and small chunks and put on open tray feeders or scatter on the ground. Fruit chunks can also be offered in a mesh bag or suet cage.
Bird health guidelines
- Don’t let seed get wet because wet seed can ferment and be a source of disease.
- Clean the feeders once a week with soap and water.
- Use environmentally friendly pesticides to kill insects in the garden. Insects are an important food source for birds, especially Hadedas and Hoopoes. When you poison insects especially snails and bugs you will most likely end up poisoning a bird. Let nature take its course and rather let the birds clean up the bugs (another reason to encourage birds to your garden).
