Feeding birds near you

By feeding seasonally and safely, we hope we can help to reduce the spread of trichomonosis and support our garden birds to thrive. Watch this short video to find out how you can help:

Feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Nut feeders made of rigid steel mesh are the only safe method of offering nuts to wild birds. Seed feeders are designed for sunflower seeds and seed mixes labelled feeder seed. Keep food as dry as possible. Choose feeders that prevent rain getting in and limit condensation. Make sure all feeders drain easily and do not allow build-up of old food. For more information and guidance on finding the right feeder for your needs, see our Bird Feeder Buying Guide. 

You can put your bird feeder in all sorts of places, but aim for somewhere:  

• Quiet: where birds won't be disturbed.  

• Safe: not too close to bushes where predators could hide in wait, but close enough to cover so that birds can easily dart away. Birds like to have a view all around them while feeding.  

• Sheltered from harsh winds. 

It's best to regularly move feeders around to avoid a build up of dropped food. Try to pick multiple spots you can rotate between.

Wherever you place your feeder, make sure you can see it when you’re indoors so you can get the most pleasure from it!   

Bear in mind, it can take a little bit of time for the birds to get used to a new feeder, so don’t be disappointed if not many birds visit at first.   

Many birds will happily eat a variety of foods, but here are some of our top tips for feeding the birds:   

• Blackbirds will eat a broad range of foods, from fruit, suet pellets to mealworms.  

• Blue Tits and Great Tits use hanging feeders, eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts.  

• Finches, including Chaffinches and Greenfinches, also use a feeder, and they love sunflower hearts.   

• If you’re keen to attract Goldfinches or Siskins, try Nyjer seeds as they both seem to love them. Nyjer seed is also popular with Greenfinches and Redpolls.   

• House Sparrows, Dunnocks and Collared Doves will be attracted by small seeds.  

• Suet balls and other fat-based food bars are excellent high energy giving foods for winter and popular with a wide range of birds.   

• Mealworms are especially popular with Robins and Blue Tits and may attract other insect-eating birds such as Pied Wagtails.  

• Be sure to look for good quality bird food – those that don’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas and beans, red dari and wholewheat that birds rarely eat.   

• You can also put out leftover dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears, but don’t use anything mouldy or salty. Soak dried fruit in water first and make sure to only put out a small amount that gets eaten quickly. If you have a dog or a cat don’t put out dried fruit – vine fruits, such as raisins, can be toxic to them. 

Put out bird food and water on a regular basis through autumn and winter. Birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather. Seeds and peanuts should only be fed between November and April. Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to build up. Food in feeders should be eaten in one to two days, and suet balls eaten within seven days. When refilling, remove any old food first.

During the spring and summer months, birds also require high-protein foods, especially while they’re moulting. Mealworms are an excellent choice at this time of year in small amounts. Soak them in water before offering to make it easier for chicks to eat them and also to increase their water content. Suet products can be offered in moderation but homemade fat balls can melt in warm summer weather, and should be avoided. The RSPB Super Suet products are resistant to melting in heat.

Bird feeder hygiene is very important. Brush off debris every time you put out fresh food and scrub feeders with mild disinfectant solution weekly. To stop droppings building up underneath, move the feeders to a new spot after each clean. Water containers should be rinsed out daily and refilled with fresh tap water. Disinfect them weekly and allow to dry out before fresh water is added.

Make sure to adjust the amount of food based on demand. Food in feeders should be eaten within a day or two so don't let uneaten food sit out there for too long. When refilling feeders, make sure to empty out the old food.

If you see a sick bird on your feeders, stop feeding altogether, thoroughly clean your feeders and store away from the garden (e.g. in the garage or shed). Only resume feeding after 2-4 weeks, but stop and repeat the process if you see any more sick birds.   

Some bird diseases can infect people. The risk is small, but precautions are worth taking. Wear gloves and thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning bird baths and feeders. Clean feeders outside with separate utensils.

It’s good to provide a regular supply of clean water for birds. If you or a neighbour has a shallow-edged pond that allows birds to drink and bathe, or another source of fresh water, you do not need to provide supplementary water unless the pond has dried out or the water is frozen. Shallow containers, like dustbin lids or plant saucers, work well, but make sure you clean them regularly. Replace the old water with fresh tap water every day and disinfect it weekly.

You could look into investing in a squirrel buster feeder. The weight of a squirrel (or large bird) causes the feeder ports to shut, so they can’t access the food. 

You could also try plastic bottles, fixed so they revolve, slipped along the post, or one of the available squirrel deterrents or baffles from our shop.  

Scent deterrents can work well for cats. You could try using citronella, citrus fruit peel or Silent Roar cat repellent around your garden.