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 hedgehogs!
Lesley