Bird feeding isn’t just a wintertime activity! Our feathered friends still need our help in springtime.
The weather can still be cool in the spring. A lot of insects will wait a little longer to come out. Birds eat insects so they have to wait a little longer for their food.
You can help our feathered friends by giving them dinner! Put a little water on whole meal bread crumbs. Then scatter them in the garden. It is easier for birds to swallow wet bread. Oat flakes are very good for birds too.
Look at the list below. These are some more favourite foods for birds.
Now you know what to feed them - in winter and spring!
Bird Feeder
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
Bird Feeder
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
Bird Feeder
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
Nuts and seeds:
Birds love peanuts and sunflower seeds. Put peanuts in a mesh peanut feeder. Whole peanuts can be harmful to young birds.
Fat:
Don’t waste any fat! It’s very good for garden birds. They love meat ends, bacon rinds and dinner leftovers. You can also make your own ‘fat ball’ for them.
- Put some scraps of stale bread or cake in an empty yoghurt pot.
- Ask an adult to melt some fat. Pour it into the yoghurt pot as well.
- Wait for it to set.
- Turn it out. Now you have your own homemade ‘fat ball’.
- Tie string around it and hang it in the garden.
You can also add some seeds and dried fruit to the ‘fat ball’.
Fruit:
If you put fruit in your garden, lots of birds will visit! Cut some pears and apples in half. You can leave them on the ground. Otherwise, push them onto the ends of branches.