“Blackbirds, starlings and robins will eat fat, fruit, and mealworms, while chaffinches, goldfinches and collared doves are seed eaters, preferring sunflower hearts, nuts and nyjer seed.”
Seeds and berries are short so put out seed mixes, sunflower hearts, fat balls and leftovers like cooked rice, uncooked porridge oats, chopped bacon, cheese, pastry, dried and fresh fruit.
“Avoid dried coconut” says RSPB advisor Ben Andrew (it can swell inside birds), cooked porridge (can harden around beaks), margarines and veg oils (it smears on feathers and stops waterproofing and insulation) and milk (birds can’t digest it).
“Water is vital for drinking and bathing, float twigs or ping pong balls on bird baths to stop freezing up – never antifreeze!”
Treat feathered friends to a feeder, a sturdy table (Gardman at Lords) or attract a variety of birds with a luxury bird station that have several separate hanging feeders (Van Hage stock elegant, stable stations by Tom Chambers – from £40 – £80)
Lords have a very impressive selection of wild bird food
Tasting menu for garden birds
Amuse-beak
Starter
Nyjer seed nibbles
Tasty no grow ground mix2 salad
Main
Crispy delicious mealworms
Seasonal juicy fat balls with a side of Fair to Nature3 sunflower hearts
Premium peanuts
Raisins à la suet
Dessert
Suet cake
Selection of wild fresh berries and fruit
Drinks
Water only, served without ice