What to Look for When Choosing Quality Bird Seed

Not all bird seed mixes are the same. When you're choosing food for the birds visiting your garden, it's worth taking a closer look at what's actually in the bag.

Check the ingredients

A good-quality bird seed mix should contain ingredients such as: black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, peanuts, peanut granules, oil seed rape and niger seed. which are all ingredients that birds will readily eat, rather than being made up largely of inexpensive fillers. If a mix contains a large amount of seed that your garden birds consistently leave behind, you may find yourself paying for food that ultimately goes to waste.

Choose seed suited to the birds in your garden

Different birds have different feeding preferences. For example, finches are particularly attracted to small seeds, while species such as tits enjoy sunflower seeds and other energy-rich foods. If you're hoping to attract a variety of garden birds, a mixed seed blend can be a good option. Alternatively, you can offer several different types of food in separate feeders.

Look for fresh, clean seed

Quality bird food should look and smell fresh. Avoid seed that appears damp, mouldy, dusty or contaminated. Fresh seed is more appealing to birds and can help reduce waste. When buying locally, you can often speak directly to the supplier and ask questions about how the seed is sourced and stored.  We grow many of the ingredients we use right here on our own farm which means your bird food can take a much shorter journey from field to feeder. Growing our own ingredients means we don't always have to rely on crops travelling long distances before they reach us. By keeping more of the process close to home, we can help reduce the transport involved in getting our ingredients from farm to finished product.

Consider the amount of filler

Some cheaper mixes contain ingredients that birds may be less interested in. These can include Red Dair, Split Peas, Lentils and Barley which are often imported too. While these can make a bag appear good value, unused seed can end up being pushed aside or left on the ground. A quality mix should provide a useful source of nutrition while minimising unnecessary waste.

How can you tell the difference between high and low quality bird seed mixes?

• High quality - a good percentage of nutritious and high-oil seeds, such as: black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, peanuts, peanut granules, oil seed rape and niger seed.
  
  
• Low quality - a high percentage of wheat and maize as a bulking agent, split peas, beans
  
  
• High quality – has very little dust present since seeds have been double cleaned for optimal cleanliness
  
  
• Low quality – there will often be obvious dust on the seeds and left in the bag and food like black sunflowers will have a high content of sticks and twigs which will block feeders.

Think about seasonal needs

Birds' feeding habits can change throughout the year. In autumn and winter, energy-rich foods such as suet pellets, fat balls and high energy mixes can be particularly useful as birds need to maintain their energy levels through colder temperatures and longer nights. Consider choosing a mix that suits the time of year and the species visiting your garden.

Buy from a trusted local supplier

Buying bird seed from a specialist or trusted local supplier is one simple way to help the environment and can give you an opportunity to find out more about the products you're buying. A knowledgeable supplier should be able to explain what is in their mixes, which birds they are designed to attract and how best to use and store them. Buying locally isn't just about the journey your bird seed takes. It's also a way of supporting local farming and businesses. When you choose bird food produced by a local farm, more of your purchase stays within the local agricultural economy. You're helping support the people, land and businesses involved in growing and producing the food. There can be something reassuring about knowing the story behind the food you put in your garden, locally produced bird food can have a much clearer journey from crops grown on the farm, through harvesting and preparation, to the bag you take home.

When it comes to feeding garden birds, choosing quality food is a simple way to make your bird-feeding routine more worthwhile. A good seed mix can help reduce waste, attract a greater variety of birds and keep your feeders busy throughout the seasons.

For further guidance on what bird feeds are best for a particular time of year or for attracting a specific bird species, feel free to contact Really Wild Bird Food today. Our expert team (including a qualified vet!) will be more than happy to answer your questions and help you choose from all the different types of bird food we offer.

Birds Preparing for Winter: How September Signals Change

As September arrives, the natural world begins a gradual transition from summer to autumn. The days become shorter, mornings feel cooler and the landscape slowly starts to change. For our garden and countryside birds, September is an important time of preparation. While some birds are getting ready to leave for warmer parts of the world, others are preparing to remain here throughout the colder months. Each species has its own way of coping with the challenges that autumn and winter will bring.

Preparing for the colder months

For birds that stay in the UK, finding enough food becomes increasingly important. Insects and other invertebrates can become less abundant as temperatures fall, so birds need to make the most of the food available during autumn.

September is a particularly good time to find berries, seeds and fruits. Hawthorn, rowan, elder and blackberry can all provide valuable food for birds. Finches and other seed-eating species may also begin making greater use of seeds and natural seed heads.

This is one reason autumn gardens can be so important. Leaving plants to produce and retain their seeds rather than cutting everything back immediately can provide a valuable natural food source.

Growing a winter coat

Birds also have to cope with falling temperatures. Their feathers provide excellent insulation, trapping a layer of warm air close to the body. Many birds undergo a moult after the breeding season, replacing old, worn feathers with new ones. By autumn, they can have a fresh set of feathers ready to help them through the colder months. Keeping feathers in good condition is essential. Birds spend a considerable amount of time preening, using oil from a gland near the base of the tail to help maintain their feathers.

Finding shelter

As well as food, birds need somewhere safe to shelter from wind, rain and freezing temperatures. Dense hedges, shrubs, ivy, woodland and evergreen vegetation can all provide useful cover. Garden birds may use bushes and hedges to escape harsh weather and predators, particularly during the longer nights of winter. This is another reason why a slightly untidy garden can be beneficial for wildlife. Fallen leaves, seed heads, piles of natural material and dense vegetation can provide food and shelter for insects and birds alike.

Some birds are getting ready to leave

Of course, not every bird will spend the winter here. September is a major period for migration. Swallows, house martins, warblers and other summer visitors begin their journeys south, following food supplies and warmer conditions. Their departure can make the countryside feel noticeably quieter. At the same time, other birds may be arriving from further north to spend the winter here, meaning the species we see can change considerably as autumn progresses.

Storing food for later

Some birds have developed remarkable ways of preparing for periods when food is harder to find. Jays, for example, collect acorns and hide them in the ground, creating food stores that can be used later. Their behaviour also has an unexpected benefit for woodland ecosystems, as forgotten acorns may eventually grow into new oak trees. This is a wonderful example of how the behaviour of individual birds can have a much wider effect on the natural environment.

How we can help

There are several simple things we can do to make our gardens more welcoming to birds as autumn approaches.

Providing fresh water, growing native plants that produce berries and seeds, and keeping some dense shrubs or hedges can all help. Bird feeders can also supplement natural food supplies, provided they are kept clean and regularly maintained. Perhaps most importantly, we can resist the temptation to make our gardens completely tidy. What may look untidy to us can be incredibly valuable to wildlife

A changing season

September is a fascinating month for birdwatching because it represents a period of change. Some birds are preparing for thousands of miles of migration, while others are settling into the routines that will help them survive the winter.

So, next time you are out walking or looking into your garden this September, take a moment to watch the birds around you. They may be busy feeding, moulting, finding shelter or preparing for a remarkable journey.

Please keep a close eye on what is happening in your garden and if you have any doubts, queries or questions, I will be very happy to help you out in any way I can. You can send me your questions here.

Enjoy and take care of those wonderful birds!
Lesley                                                                         

A Feast in the Hedgerows – But Keep Those Feeders Topped Up

Late summer is a busy and abundant time for our garden birds. Across hedgerows, gardens, parks and woodland edges, nature is offering up a wonderful variety of natural foods. Ripening blackberries, elderberries, hawthorn berries and other fruits are attracting birds in large numbers, while insects, spiders, seeds and other small creatures provide valuable sources of food too.

It can be tempting to think that, with so much natural food around, our feeders can take a back seat for a while. But even during this season of plenty, keeping bird feeders topped up remains an important way to support the birds visiting our gardens.

Nature’s late-summer larder

At this time of year, hedgerows can be particularly valuable. Blackbirds, thrushes and other berry-loving birds can spend hours searching among brambles and shrubs for ripe fruit. Insects are also an important part of the menu, especially for birds that are busy feeding themselves and, in some cases, young birds.

The abundance of natural food is one of the joys of late summer. A garden with berry-producing shrubs, mature trees, flowering plants and plenty of insect life can become a natural feeding station in its own right.

But natural food isn't always available in a steady supply. Weather, competition from other wildlife and the simple fact that different fruits ripen at different times can all affect what birds find from one day to the next.

Why feeders still matter

Keeping feeders stocked gives garden birds another reliable food source alongside what they find naturally.

Seed mixes, sunflower hearts, dried mealworms, peanuts and suet-based foods can provide valuable energy, particularly for smaller birds that need to make frequent feeding trips. A well-stocked feeder also gives you a wonderful opportunity to observe the different species visiting your garden and to see how their feeding habits change with the seasons.

Rather than replacing natural food, feeders can complement it.

Think of your garden as offering a varied menu: berries and insects from nature, alongside carefully provided supplementary food.

A good time to think about variety

Late summer is also a useful time to look at what you're offering. Different birds have different preferences, so providing a mixture of suitable foods can encourage a greater variety of visitors.

Sunflower hearts are popular with many small garden birds, while suet products can provide an energy-rich option. Some birds will continue to forage beneath shrubs and trees for fallen seeds and insects, so keeping the ground around feeding areas reasonably natural can also help.

And don't forget water. A clean, shallow bird bath or drinking area can be just as valuable as food, particularly during warm or dry spells.

Keep it clean and consistent

If you're feeding birds, good hygiene is important. Clean feeders and feeding areas regularly, remove old or spoiled food, and provide fresh water. Keeping things clean helps reduce the risk of disease spreading between birds.

It's also worth avoiding putting out more food than the birds can reasonably eat, particularly in warm weather. A little and often can be a sensible approach.

A helping hand, all year round

There is something special about watching a blackbird disappear into a blackberry-laden hedge or seeing a robin hunting for insects among the leaves. These natural food sources are an essential part of the seasonal rhythm of our gardens.

But even when the hedgerows are full of berries and insects, our feeders still have a role to play.

So while nature provides its late-summer feast, keep those feeders topped up, keep them clean, and enjoy the birds that come to visit. By offering a combination of natural habitat, water and supplementary food, we can make our gardens welcoming places for wildlife throughout the changing seasons.

Please keep a close eye on what is happening in your garden and if you have any doubts, queries or questions, I will be very happy to help you out in any way I can. You can send me your questions here.

Enjoy and take care of those wonderful birds!
Lesley                                                                                 

Garden Birds in July

Garden Birds in July: Which Birds Can You Spot This Month?

July is one of the busiest and most rewarding months for watching garden birds. While the dawn chorus may have quietened, gardens are still full of activity as newly fledged birds learn to feed, explore their surroundings, and become more independent. Whether you have a large garden or a small courtyard with a bird feeder, there's plenty to see during the height of summer.

Young Birds Take Centre Stage

One of the first things you'll notice in July is the number of young birds visiting your garden. Fledglings often look quite different from their parents, with fluffier feathers, shorter tails and slightly clumsy movements. They may also call constantly as they wait for adults to bring them food.

Although they can appear vulnerable, this is a normal part of their development. In most cases, if a fledgling is fully feathered and hopping around, it is best to leave it alone. Its parents are usually nearby, keeping a close eye on it and continuing to feed it.

Common Garden Birds to Look Out For

Robin

Young robins are easy to miss because they don't have the familiar bright red breast. Instead, they have speckled brown plumage, which provides excellent camouflage while they are learning to fend for themselves. As they mature, their iconic red breast gradually develops.

Blue Tit

Blue tits often arrive in lively family groups during July. The young birds can usually be recognised by their paler colours and slightly untidy appearance. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders, especially where sunflower hearts and peanuts are available.

Blackbird

Juvenile blackbirds have brown, mottled feathers rather than the glossy black plumage of adult males. You may see them searching for worms on lawns while still being fed occasionally by their parents.

Goldfinch

Goldfinches are among the most colourful visitors to a summer garden. They are particularly attracted to seed heads left on flowers such as teasels and sunflowers. Their cheerful, tinkling calls are often heard before the birds themselves are spotted.

Help Birds Through the Summer

Although natural food is abundant in July, birds still benefit from a helping hand.

You can support your local birdlife by:

• Keep bird feeders topped up with quality seed mixes or sunflower hearts.
• Provide a shallow bird bath or dish of fresh, clean water.
• Clean feeders and bird baths regularly to reduce the spread of disease.
• Leave some areas of your garden a little wild to encourage insects, an important food source for young birds.
• Avoid using pesticides wherever possible, as they reduce the insects that many birds rely on.

Plants That Birds Love

Many garden plants provide valuable food during summer and into autumn. Instead of cutting everything back immediately after flowering, consider leaving some seed heads standing.

Bird-friendly plants include:

• Sunflowers
• Teasels
• Coneflowers (Echinacea)
• Lavender
• Rowan trees, which produce berries later in the year

These plants not only provide food for birds but also attract pollinating insects, helping to create a thriving garden ecosystem.

Enjoy Watching Without Disturbing

July is an excellent month to slow down and observe the wildlife in your garden. Watch from a distance, avoid disturbing young birds, and let nature take its course whenever possible.

With fresh water, nutritious food and bird-friendly planting, your garden can become a haven for wildlife throughout the summer. Spend a few minutes each day watching your feathered visitors, and you'll soon notice fascinating behaviours as this year's young birds gain confidence and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I feed garden birds in July?

Yes. Although there is plenty of natural food available, many adult birds are still feeding hungry fledglings. Supplementary food such as sunflower hearts, peanuts (in suitable feeders) and mealworms can be a valuable source of energy.

Why are baby birds sitting on the ground?

This is perfectly normal for many species. Fledglings leave the nest before they can fly well and spend several days on the ground or in low shrubs while their parents continue to feed and protect them.

Should I rescue a fledgling?

Only if it is clearly injured or in immediate danger from pets or traffic. Healthy fledglings should be left where they are, as their parents are usually close by.

What is the most colourful garden bird in summer?

The goldfinch is one of the UK's most colourful garden birds. Its striking red face, black-and-white head and golden wing bars make it a favourite among birdwatchers, especially when feeding on seed heads in July.

If you have any further questions about looking after your garden birds, please get in touch with us today and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help!

Garden Birds in June: Helping Wildlife Through the Extreme Heat

June is usually one of the most vibrant months in the garden. Birds are busy feeding fledglings, insects are abundant, and the dawn chorus is still in full swing. However, when temperatures soar and prolonged periods of extreme heat arrive, our feathered visitors can face significant challenges.

Why Hot Weather Is Difficult for Birds

Unlike humans, birds cannot sweat to cool themselves down. Instead, they regulate their body temperature through behaviours such as panting, holding their wings away from their bodies, and seeking shade. During heatwaves, these methods may not be enough, especially for young birds that have recently left the nest.

The intense heat can also reduce the availability of natural water sources. Puddles dry up, streams shrink, and damp areas that provide insects and worms become much harder to find.

Birds Most Affected

Many familiar garden species can struggle during hot weather, including robins, blackbirds, sparrows, starlings and blue tits. Young fledglings are particularly vulnerable as they are still learning to forage and may become dehydrated quickly.

Ground-feeding birds often find it harder to locate food when the soil becomes dry and compact, preventing them from accessing worms and other invertebrates.

How You Can Help

Provide Fresh Water

The single most important thing you can do is provide clean, fresh water. A shallow bird bath allows birds to drink and bathe, helping them regulate their body temperature.

Make sure the water is:

• Refilled daily
• Kept shallow for safety
• Positioned near cover but away from lurking cats
• Cleaned regularly to prevent disease

National Trust Vierno Bird Bath

Create Shade

Gardens with a variety of shrubs, hedges and small trees offer birds a welcome refuge from the midday sun. If your garden lacks natural shade, even a strategically placed plant pot or garden structure can provide temporary relief.

Continue Feeding

While birds rely heavily on natural food in summer, supplementary feeding can still help during extreme weather. Suitable foods include:

• Sunflower hearts
• Mealworms
• Suet products designed for summer use
• Seed mixes

Avoid allowing food to spoil in the heat and clean feeders frequently.

Suet Feast Feeder

Leave Some Areas Wild

Longer grass and less-tidy corners provide cooler microhabitats where insects can thrive. These areas become important feeding grounds for birds throughout the summer months.

Signs of Heat Stress

If you notice a bird sitting quietly with its beak open, wings drooping and breathing rapidly, it may be struggling with the heat. Often, providing access to water nearby is the most helpful action. If a bird appears injured or severely distressed, contact a local wildlife rescue organisation for advice.

A Small Effort Makes a Big Difference

As climate change increases the frequency of heatwaves across the UK, our gardens are becoming increasingly important refuges for wildlife. Something as simple as a bowl of fresh water can make a significant difference to a bird trying to survive a scorching June day.

This summer, take a few moments to watch the activity around your garden. You may be surprised by how many birds benefit from the shade, food and water you provide. In return, they'll continue to bring colour, song and life to your outdoor space all season long.

See our full range of bird baths

SHORT ANSWER: Yes! Feeding wild birds is a great way to support them – just make sure you're doing it responsibly.

A recent press release from the RSPB has received a lot of news coverage and caused no small amount of alarm. It warns nature lovers not to feed seeds or peanuts to their garden birds between the start of May and the end of October. Why? To help stop the spread of disease among British birds.

This certainly hasn't come out of the blue. Concerns about avian diseases, overcrowding, and the impact of human feeding habits have been raised loudly and repeatedly over the past few years. One might easily get the impression that the bird feeders in our gardens are actually doing more harm than good.

Now, as a qualified vet, I'm all too aware of the problems that poorly-maintained feeding areas can cause for wild bird populations. However, please be reassured that there's no need to stop feeding your feathered friends, who need your help now as much as ever!

PICTURED: I Love Robins® Easy-clean Hanging Treat Dish

Why feeding the birds is important

Garden feeding plays a key role in supporting British bird populations, particularly in urban and suburban areas where natural food sources tend to be in short supply.

A reliable source of high-energy food can make a real difference for many UK bird species, especially during the nesting season (March to September) as well as the cold winter months.

So feeding itself isn't the problem. The problem is hygiene.

Where the concerns come from

When large numbers of birds gather around the same feeding station, diseases can spread easily. Contaminated feeders, droppings, and leftover food can all contribute to the transmission of illnesses such as salmonellosis.

This is why some experts have raised concerns – not because feeding birds is a bad idea in itself, but because too many people aren't doing it hygienically.

How to feed birds safely

Practising good feeder hygiene is crucial to feeding birds safely and minimising the risk of disease.

Here are some expert tips:

• Clean and disinfect your feeders regularly. See How to Clean & Disinfect Bird Feeders for details. (You might want to consider replacing your current feeder with an easy-clean bird feeder to make this job easier.)
  
  
• Remove old food before it gets mouldy. Don't leave the same food in your feeders for more than a week. Any damp food should be replaced immediately.
  
  
• Use a scraper tool to keep your feeding station free of bird droppings.
  
  
• Move your feeding station to a different spot every so often. This will help to prevent droppings and uneaten food from building up in one specific area.
  
  
• If possible, place multiple bird feeders in different spots to avoid overcrowding.
  
  
• Fill your feeders with no-waste bird food to reduce mess on the ground.
  
  
• Keep any bird baths clean and topped up with fresh water.

These small steps will make a big difference to the health of your local bird population.

Keep feeding those birds!

As long as you follow good hygiene practices, feeding wild birds remains a positive and beneficial activity.

Recent warnings may have given you pause for thought, but the correct response is not to stop feeding your birds altogether. By keeping feeders clean and managing your feeding area carefully, you can continue to support your local wildlife without spreading disease.

Feeding wild birds is an easy way to feel closer to nature. With the right approach, it can be both safe and rewarding. If you're unsure where to start, or if you want to improve your bird feeding setup, explore our range of bird feeder cleaning products and feeding solutions — or drop me a line and I'll be happy to offer whatever advice I can!

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This article comes from Lesley Smith, Really Wild Bird Food's co-founder and resident vet. Lesley frequently draws on her experience as a veterinary surgeon to provide guidance for customers who are concerned about the health of their garden birds. If you're interested in learning more about wild bird diseases, you can read more on the topic from Lesley here.

LAST UPDATED: 13th April 2026

A mosquito-borne disease known as the Usutu virus has now been widely detected across the South of England. The virus, first discovered more than fifty years ago around Africa’s Usutu River, has been present in mainland Europe since the 1990’s and finally made its way to the UK after a hot and humid summer in 2020. So, what does this mean for our beloved garden birds? Keep reading this blog to find out!