Garden birds have established territories and rely heavily on a regular supply of available food and water on ‘their patch’ during the winter months, when natural foods are scarce. Honeyfield’s resident wild bird expert Simon Smethurst, who is head of sales at Honeyfield’s, has produced some tips to help your garden bird loving customers attract and support the many species of bird spending winter in the UK.
“During winter it’s vital to provide a regular food supply for your feathered garden friends,” says Simon. Higher fat feeds, will keep energy levels up to help them through the long nights and winter months.”
Simon also recommends increasing the number of feeders at various stations around the garden to help everyone peacefully gain access to their share. He says:
“Providing food obviously benefits your ‘resident’ birds but as most species are driven by a flock mentality, those that do not normally feed with you will be attracted when they follow similar species to a recognised food source. This leads to more competition at your feeders and may result in birds spending less time feeding and more time aggressively defending what they perceive to be ‘their’ feeding site. More feeders should result in less competition, and a more peaceful time topping up on valuable nutrients to help get through the harsher weather.”
Keeping a regular supply of fresh water is also imperative during the colder months, especially as temperatures drop below freezing causing local natural supplies to freeze over.
“Always break or melt ice with warm water, preferably several times a day,” advises Simon. “Never add salt to your bird water source to prevent freezing as this has a detrimental effect on bird health.”
Finches and Tits
These species are likely to increase in numbers during the winter, as their flocks are bolstered by birds flying in from the continent, more rural areas and further north.
Attract them with:
- Low wheat seed mixes.
- Tit species particularly like suet over seed.
- Sunflower hearts.
- Nyjer Seed fed from a Nyjer Seed feeder.
Bramblings and Redpolls, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers
These colourful winter residents may become more inquisitive as the weather hardens and are likely to visit gardens if food is presented in the right way.
Attract them with:
- Accessible seed feeders.
- High quality no mess, no grow mixes.
- Quality Sunflowers.
- Peanuts.
- Keep seeds, sunflowers and peanuts available in different feeders as many species have different preferences and feeding abilities.
- Many birds do not like to visit a busy feeder, so choice and location are key.
- Hide some feeders under bushes or lower down. You’ll be surprised which birds find them!
Winter Thrushes
Visitors such as Fieldfare and Redwing are a welcome garden addition in winter but are unable to feed on standard wild bird hanging feeders and prefer flat surfaces such as the lawn or a shed roof.
Attract them with:
- Windfall apples
- Suet pellets
- Mealworms
- Natural berries
Remember to keep pets safe: If feeding on the ground, ensure dogs don’t have access as some foods, especially fats and raisins are a serious health risk to them.
“In short, more feeders and a wider the variety of feed options will open your garden to a greater variety of visiting birds in winter, says Simon. “Most people who feed birds do not offer a water source, so this is an excellent way to ‘steal’ your neighbour’s birds. Birds cannot survive without water, and they soon learn where the key sites are!”
Honeyfield’s offers an exceptional range of wild bird feeds designed to support wildlife throughout the changing seasons. From high-energy sunflower hearts and nutritious seed mixes to suet treats and mealworms, there’s a feed for every species and dietary requirement. An innovative variety of feeders are also available to help your customers create a thriving, natural environment where birds and other wildlife can flourish.
The ranges are competitively priced for consumers to be able to feed the best, while retailers can benefit from good margin structures and introductory stocking incentives.
To find out more about the Honeyfield’s range visit: https://www.honeyfieldswildbird.co.uk/
