September is nearly upon us and there is definitely an autumnal chill in the air! You may have noticed just how laden the hedgerows are with fruit, berries and nuts this year – an incredible crop of nature's bounty. It's true that gardens become quiet as our feathered friends head off to make the most of these natural resources; however, we still recommend putting out some additional food to keep the birds in your area, and to ensure that their diet is 'topped up'.
Check out our Birdie Basics bird seed range, which includes a wheat-free seed mix. Just like our premium feeds, these more affordable mixes are packed with home-grown ingredients from our UK farm. And with prices starting from just 70p per kg (including free delivery!) they're a great choice to keep those feeders ticking over.
Order Your Birdie Basics Here!
August Seed of The Month
Original Farm Gold™
SAVE 15% (offer ends 31st August)
Homegrown is always best and this delicious, nutritious Original Farm Gold™ bird seed mix lets the harvest sunshine spill out of it.
September and October are often glorious 'golden' months as the mornings become just slightly colder. Original Farm Gold™ is a perfect autumn bird feed, and a fantastic premium choice for your garden birds at this time of year. Offer ends 31st August so don't miss out!
Order Before September & SAVE 15%
Enjoy your birds!
With best wishes,
Lesley
Can Birds Eat Hemp Seeds?
Hemp seeds have grown in popularity in recent years. Although the seeds come from cannabis plants, they contain virtually no THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) and are safe for both animals and humans to eat. In fact, many health enthusiasts use hemp seeds in smoothies, salads and other dishes. Hemp seeds are also a popular ingredient in bird seed mixes. Hemp seeds are also enjoyed by caged birds.
While there is a lot of emphasis on feeding wild birds in the winter, it’s actually beneficial to feed garden birds all year round! There’s a common misconception that birds don’t need to be fed in the summer months, and even that feeding birds in the summer will make them fat and lazy, but that’s not the case!
While it’s true that winter can be a particularly difficult time for wild birds with natural food (and occasionally drinkable water) being in short supply, wild birds will benefit from feeding all year round. Feeding wild birds through all seasons is an effective way to support their populations; improving chick numbers born and the survival of youngsters, and helping adults to stay in good body condition.
Feeding live bird food to your garden visitors can be a bit intimidating - but it's easier than you think! Read our live bird food tips to get started.
Live bird food usually consists of insects and bugs, and is an alternative to the usual seeds and nuts that tend to fill garden feeders. In nature, insects are a significant part of the diets of many different birds. Hence, the classic image of the early bird getting the worm! Live bird food tends to be a good source of protein for our feathered friends, particularly mealworms.
We know that not everyone is keen to order a bunch of wriggling worms to their house (we do offer dried mealworms as an alternative) but the benefits to your local birds can be worth the discomfort. For some tips and advice on handling live bird food, as well as why you should give it a go, read on!
Why Feed Birds Live Bird Food?
Insectivorous birds (birds who eat insects) are at risk when they don't have access to enough food, and insect populations are in decline in the UK. The lack of mature, native trees in our gardens and ever-decreasing areas of natural woodland means that wild birds cannot find the live bird food they need to feed their young. This means fewer eggs, and fewer fledglings. Help these birds by providing live bird food, particularly during periods of colder weather and breeding periods.
