Print

Feed the Birds Day

The RSPB’s Feed the Birds Day takes place on Saturday 29 October 2011. 

This special day reminds us about all the things we can do to help birds and other garden wildlife through the winter. This year, we're running lots of Feed the Birds Day events across the UK, both on the day and in the weeks leading up to it. We hope you can come along to one of our events.

Birds really need your help as the clocks go back and the nights draw in. This year we’re asking you to ‘Come Dine with the Birds’ and host your own wildlife garden party.

Five top tips to help you be a host to all kinds of wildlife in your garden

1. Invite your guests and prepare the menu 
   Work out who likes what, and prepare the best menu for all your guests.  Mealworms, birdcake or seeds might not appeal to you, but your feathered friends will love them! You can ‘sit’ your guests at a table you’ve prepared with food, or attract insects, birds and other wildlife to your garden by planting wildlife-friendly plants which give nectar, seeds and fruit.
   
   
2. A wide range of good quality ingredients are the key to your success 
   There’s a good range of ready-made bird food on sale, but lots you can grow yourself. Top quality food is available at www.rspbshop.co.uk and for ideas about how to provide food for free visit www.rspb.org.uk/hfw    
   
   
3. Get the place ready 
   Just as you’d spruce up your house for visitors, it’s a good idea to give feeders a good clean. Cleanliness is very important. On the other hand, don’t be too tidy in the garden – leaving seed heads on herbaceous plants through the winter can make a huge difference for birds like goldfinches, and allowing dead wood to rot in a shady spot will be a tremendous help to insects and amphibians. The birds will be grateful too.
   
   
4. Drink is as important as food 
   You wouldn’t have a dinner party without a sparkling glass of something next to the plate. Birds are just the same – but their favourite tipple is cheap and easy. Water every time! And unlike human dinner guests, they might also have a bath in it!
   
   
5. A welcoming atmosphere 
   Birds and other wildlife don’t need comfy sofas or flickering candles, but there are many things you can do to make them feel welcome, from bird and bat boxes to frog and hedgehog hideaways. And dense shrubs will make them feel at home, as they give shelter and nesting sites.
   

Create a home for wildlife

There are many other things you can do in your garden to help wildlife. If you'd like the full range of advice from us, just sign up for Homes for Wildlife and we’ll provide you with free advice on what you can do in your garden, or even on your patio, driveway or balcony. Just click on the link below to find out more. It's easy to take part.

Over 170,000 people have so far received our free wildlife gardening advice. But the more people who take part in Homes for Wildlife, the more areas will be better for wildlife!
Three of our most familiar birds - the house sparrow, starling and song thrush - have large populations in our gardens and need our help. www.rspb.org.uk/hfw

Last modified: 20 July 2011

Homes for Wildlife If you own a garden, or even just a window box, you can take simple, practical steps that will benefit many of our most important birds, mammals and insects. More...

Feeding birds What food can you leave out for birds and how can you keep your feeding station hygienic and pest-free? Here you'll find the answers to all your bird feeding questions. More...

Make a wildlife stack Building a wildlife stack in your garden won’t just benefit wildlife - you’ll have the pleasure of being able to watch a host of different creatures making their homes and learn all about their fascinating behaviour at close quarters. More...

Feed the Birds Day

• Events