Should i feed wild birds in the summer

Using peanuts can be tricky but very rewarding when you know how to. While using a variety of food will attract plenty of birds, try and avoid using a soft suet product which may not stand the summer heat, causing it to melt, spoil, foster bacteria and grow mould. You can still use suet for summer feeding though, and suet pellets will help keep your birds full and satisfied all year long. To ensure you and your garden birds have the best experience, here are some extra tips:.

Got a question for us? Summer bird feeding tips Feeding birds in the summer. Should you feed birds in the summer?

Why is summer a great time to feed birds? Discover more foods suitable for the range of birds in your garden. Fruit like raisins, sultanas, apples or pears are an excellent source of energy. Leave on the ground for ground-feeding birds, or suspend from a tree for others. Leftovers like cooked pasta and rice are high in energy, as is rind from unsalted meat or cooked veg. Avoid salty food or bread.

Fat balls may become rancid after a time, so are best avoided too. Be careful when feeding them peanuts, as they might spread aflatoxin, a fungal infection that can be lethal to birds. Check the pack before you buy to make sure the nuts have been tested. Never put out nuts intended for human consumption, as they contain very high levels of salt. You can also read our round-up of the best bird feeders to buy. When feeding birds, make sure there is plenty of shelter, such as a hedge, nearby, so birds can fly to safety if they need to.

Experts disagree about whether backyard bird feeding will significantly help bird populations. But feeding certainly can help individual birds in your neighborhood. The general rule for feeding of any wild animal is: do not feed when it might cause harm. With birds there are few situations in which we can imagine harm being caused, so we say, go ahead!

These answers to common questions will help you get started. It's not necessary. Bird feeding is most helpful at times of when birds need the most energy, such as during temperature extremes, migration, and in late winter or early spring, when natural seed sources are depleted. Most birds don't need your help in the summer. When they are nesting and rearing their young, many birds focus on eating insects, so feeding is less necessary at those times.

Laura Tangley April 18, Written by Laura Tangley. Recent Popular. Conservation , People and Wildlife. Students and Nature. Garden Habitats , Wildlife Facts.