As summer draws to a close and autumnal weather starts to take over, you may be wondering what this means for your garden birds.
Autumn is actually a critical time for many wild birds as they either prepare for migration or gear up for a long and cold winter at home. By offering the right foods in your feeders, you can support your feathered friends during this tricky transitional season – and enjoy some great birdwatching in the process!
Why is Autumn Feeding Important?
In autumn, natural food sources like insects are scarce, meaning that wild birds have to rely increasingly on supplementary food sources like garden bird feeders. Although birds will still be able to find nuts and berries in hedgerows during the autumn months, supplementing their natural food source with these healthy snacks is a great way to keep them as healthy as possible! Birds that are migrating to warmer climates for the winter need to build up fat reserves as fuel for their long journeys, and birds that are staying put also need to eat more high calorie food so that they can stay warm through the colder nights.
So, by feeding the birds in autumn you are not just giving them a helping hand but providing them a lifeline so that they can survive the colder months.
What Are the Best Foods to Feed Birds in Autumn?
Oil-Rich Seeds
Sunflower seeds, including sunflower heart chips, are some of the best seeds to offer to wild birds in autumn as they are high in oils and fat, providing birds with the energy reserves they need to stay warm and healthy.
Niger seed is also a great choice as they are crammed with healthy oils, fats and protein that are essential for a healthy and balanced avian diet. However, note that niger seeds are usually only eaten by goldfinches and are very small, so we recommend that you feed them from a special niger seed feeder!
Peanuts
Peanuts are also rich in nutritional oils, protein and fat and well-loved by plenty of bird species including nuthatches, woodpeckers, jays and tits. At Really Wild Bird Food, we even offer a range of Bird Friendly Peanut Butter a delicious high energy treat to keep the birds going through winter!
Suet
Suet provides an excellent source of pure energy and essential fats for our feathered friends, making it the ideal snack for the colder autumnal months. Whether you go for suet pellets, fat balls or other suet treats, your garden birds are sure to appreciate the boost of energy as the colder weather rolls in.
You can also add dried or live mealworms to any of these energy-rich food options to give your garden birds an extra protein boost!
Tips for Autumn Feeding
- Keep Food Fresh: It is crucial that ensure your bird food is fresh and regularly replace any old food to prevent mould.
- Keep Feeders Clean: To avoid the spread of diseases, you should thoroughly wash your bird feeders at least every two weeks.
- Provide Water: Always make sure there is a fresh source of water available for drinking and bathing. As the weather gets colder, be sure to check that the water hasn’t frozen over!
- Be Consistent: Once birds have discovered your feeder, they will keep coming back so make sure there is always some food on offer for when they visit.
By following these easy tips, you can do your bit to support your local birds this autumn!
If you have any further questions about what to feed birds in autumn, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Really Wild Bird Food today.
