Do Birds need feeding in summer?

We all know the reasons for feeding wild birds in winter, but in summer birds will still be grateful for extra treats, as many are busy raising their young. We recommend little and often, as the birds may not eat quite as much as during the colder months.

Peanuts are suitable for birds all year.

Peanuts can be fed to birds but with caution at some times of year. They are often difficult for young birds to digest because of the size, so we suggest either breaking them into small pieces, or only using a peanut feeder, so birds just get bits out of them. Or feed sunflower hearts and live food during the breeding season.

Peanuts are rich in fat and are popular with most garden birds. Avoid salted peanuts, as salt is toxic to birds

Bread and milk are not good for birds and hedgehogs.

Many animals are intolerant of the lactose in milk which can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and death. It is also bad for hedgehog’s teeth. Milk is iron deficient and can cause dietary imbalance. It is also bad for garden hygiene and the spread of disease as it will readily curdle if left for any length of time.

Whilst bread won’t do birds any harm, it doesn’t offer any nutritional value either and can only act as a ‘filler.’

Fruit is good for birds

Fruit is an excellent supplementary food for many birds, particularly slightly soft apples and pears and soaked fruits. Rotten fruit isn’t as suitable – birds don’t like food that’s past its best any more than we do!

Mealworms can be fed live.

Live mealworms are readily available and are a great source of food for birds like robins, blackbirds and tits. Many people believe that they need to be chopped up and shouldn’t be fed live, but this is incorrect.