How to feed garden birds in winter
Winter can be difficult for garden birds as natural food becomes harder to find and they need plenty of energy to stay warm.
Offering nutritious food, fresh water and clean feeding equipment can help support the birds visiting your garden throughout the colder months.
Choose high-energy foods
Different foods will attract different species, so offer a small selection rather than relying on a single type.
Suet
Suet cakes, fat balls and suet pellets provide valuable energy during cold weather.
Place them inside a suitable suet feeder rather than hanging them in plastic netting, which may trap birds’ feet.
Peanuts
Unsalted peanuts are popular with many garden birds. Always offer whole peanuts inside a purpose-made rigid mesh feeder so birds cannot remove dangerously large pieces.
Discard any peanuts that appear mouldy, damp or discoloured.
Sunflower hearts
Sunflower hearts are rich in energy and easy for birds to eat. They attract a wide variety of visitors while creating less waste than seeds with their husks still attached.
Mixed seeds
A good-quality seed mixture provides variety for different species. Avoid mixes containing large amounts of filler, as unwanted food can collect beneath the feeder.
Only put out an amount that is likely to be eaten within one or two days.
Mealworms
Dried or live mealworms provide protein and are particularly popular with robins, blackbirds and blue tits.
Offer a small amount in a specialist hanging feeder. If placing mealworms on the ground, clear away anything uneaten by dusk.
Choose the right feeder
Match the feeder to the food you are offering:
- Seed feeders: Suitable for sunflower hearts and seed mixtures
- Rigid mesh feeders: Designed for whole peanuts
- Suet feeders: Hold fat balls and suet cakes securely
- Mealworm feeders: Help contain live or dried mealworms
Choose feeders that keep food as dry as possible and can be taken apart easily for cleaning. Avoid bird tables, trays and other flat feeding surfaces because contaminated food can collect on them.
Keep feeders clean
Birds gathering around feeders can spread disease, so good hygiene is essential.
Clean feeders at least once a week, remove old or damp food and clear fallen debris from the ground. Move feeders regularly to prevent waste from building up in one place.
If you see a sick bird, temporarily stop feeding and clean all equipment thoroughly before using it again.
Provide fresh water
Birds need water for drinking and bathing throughout winter.
Provide fresh water in a shallow bird bath and change it every day. Clean the bath weekly and remove ice during freezing weather. Never use salt, antifreeze or other chemicals to prevent the water from freezing.
Support your winter visitors
Offer food in moderation, keep it dry and choose feeders suited to each food type. Regular cleaning and fresh water will help make your garden a safer and more welcoming place for winter birds.
Explore our bird food, feeders and wildlife-care products by visiting Coletta & Tyson Garden Centre in Woodmansey, near Beverley and Hull.