1 week Ago By Claire Schofield
Now that spring has officially arrived, gardens are becoming more vibrant and full of life once again after a long and cold winter. As the grass starts to grow and flowers bloom, gardeners should notice an influx of wildlife in gardens from this month, including birds on the hunt for food. The beginning of March marks the start of nesting season for birds, and during this time - similar to winter - they need foods that are high in energy.
As such, wildlife experts recommend that gardeners continue with winter feeding techniques by offering foods that will help birds to build up their fat stores. This not only helps birds stay warm during the cold spring nights, but it will provide them with the vital source of energy they need for the nesting season. Greenfinches and blue tits are among some of the most common birds that are spotted in gardens in spring and both of these species will use a feeder.
The birds will take food from both hanging feeders and bird tables, but it’s important to move these around your garden from time to time to stop droppings building up underneath. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says debris should be brushed off feeders every time food is put out and that they should be scrubbed with a mild disinfectant solution every week to reduce the risk of spreading disease. Greenfinches and blue tits will thrive from energy-rich foods at this time of the year, with experts recommending offering these birds a mixture of sunflower hearts and peanuts.
Sunflower hearts come without the husks of complete sunflower seeds and are a favourite among several species of garden birds, while peanuts have a high fat content and so are a great source of energy. Bird food specialists Beaky Bites explains: “Sunflower seeds are loved by many birds, including tits and greenfinches, for their high energy content. These seeds provide the energy birds need to go about their daily activities especially during colder months when their energy needs are higher.
But one downside of feeding black sunflower seeds is they can create a pile of husks below the feeder that may need to be cleaned regularly. “Including high energy seeds like sunflower seeds in your bird feeders gives your feathered friends the energy they need to thrive. This is especially important during breeding season and winter when their energy needs peak.
” Gardeners putting out peanuts for birds are urged not to offer them whole as they can pose a choking hazard. Instead, offer peanut granules as these are smaller and easier for birds to consume. Bird food and feeders specialists Haith’s adds: “The favoured bird food for Blue Tits coming to garden feeding stations is undoubtedly peanut kernels closely followed by fat balls.
They will also take other mixtures containing nut granules such as Golden Chorus as well as Mealworms and Sunflower Seed. “A word of warning: please ensure peanuts are fed from a peanut feeder and cannot be taken whole during the nesting season as adults may try to feed them to their small youngsters with potentially tragic results.”.
