Lynette Hammond 
A bird table is a beautiful addition to any garden. You benefit from adding a point of interest in your outdoor space, an attractive piece of garden furniture and by attracting many more birds that in turn bring more interest and beauty. It is important to know what foods to feed your new guests as many are accidently harmed through ingesting unsuitable foods that are fed by gardeners and their families. Here’s a list of foods you can feed your garden birds to avoid any tummy upsets.
- Goldfinch & Siskin – Nyger Seed
- Young Blue Tit, Great Tit & Black Cap – Fat Balls
- Wood Pigeons – Small Seed Mix
- House Sparrow & Robin – Mealworms
- Great Spotted Woodpecker – Peanuts
- Bullfinch & Coal Tit – Sunflower Hearts
- Long- tailed tit – Breadcrumbs and cheese
- Starling – Mixed Seed
- Fieldfare – Apples
Sugary treats should never be fed to birds along with cooked oats and loose whole peanuts.
There’s no need to wait until autumn or winter to begin feeding birds, you can help them out all year round. It is important to provide water all year round too. Birds use the water to keep hydrated and to bathe in. Place water in a shaded area during the summer months and replace it each day. In the winter months the water is likely to freeze over, which can be prevented by placing a plastic ball in the bird bath.
Feeding Other Wildlife
You may want to help support other wildlife by supplementing their natural diet with a few healthy treats. Here are some of the best foods to feed:
- Hedgehog – Dog food
- Vole – Small Seed Mix
- Badger – Peanuts
- Fox – Fruit
- Deer – Root Vegetables
- Shew – Mealworms
A Healthy Environment
It is important to consider food hygiene when feeding birds and mammals in your garden. Remember to keep the bird table clean by removing any uneaten food and food that has become waterlogged. Try adjusting the amount of food you feed if you find yourself frequently disposing of food. The feeding station will also need cleaning with a suitable disinfectant to ensure it remains free from bird droppings (that can spread diseases) and mouldy food.
