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|  | Feeding Calendar Wild birds and animals can bring colour and interest to any size garden. A regular feeding programme will encourage fascinating visitors and you will soon know familiar faces and friendly characters.
To maximise the number of bird species attracted to an area, it’s important to offer a variety of food in different locations. Each species has a particular feeding strategy: Starlings, Dunnocks and Thrushes prefer to feed on the ground while Wrens select shrubs, Blue Tits and Great Tits are canopy feeders, mainly choosing elevated stations. However, an open bird table will attract all species mentioned, even Dunnocks. An elevated feeding position will attract birds off the ground away from the threat of cats. ‘Wild Bird Food Special Menu’ is formulated to appeal to a wide range of garden birds, suitable for ground and table feeding and for use in hanging feeders. It offers a simple feeding programme with great results. The British Trust for Ornithology and the RSPB have shown through garden bird surveys, that bird feeders are being used by more bird species every year. In 1990, 17 kinds of birds fed regularly from coconut shells and plastic nets of peanuts, just ten years later, thanks in part to an extended menu the range has grown to more than 80 different species. (Source: Chris Baines, Vice President of the Wildlife Trusts Partnership).
Providing nest boxes can also encourage wild birds and animals to select and stay in your garden. To maximise the number of bird species and the number of each type, it is beneficial to supply several nesting sites.
Don't forget to water! It is important for birds to have a clean supply of water. For more info see 'May'. |
| January During winter months, natural food supplies become scarce and garden birds become more dependent on people to supplement their diets. Feeding birds during the harsh winter months ensures they are in good condition for the breeding season and will increase their chance of successfully hatching young.
For a real energy boost during winter months ‘Goldensong’ is a luxurious blend of sunflower kernels, peanut granules, dried fruits berries and insects, that will appeal to a wide range of birds. Later in the year, after hibernation, Hedgehogs are also partial to this tasty tucker. |  |
| February February can be bitterly cold and birds need extra energy to survive. The ‘Ernest Charles Fruit & Nut Pasty’ is packed full of energy to keep the birds fit through the harshest of winters. High-energy sunflower kernels, give a real boost during these cold snaps. The husk is removed, allowing a wider range of birds to enjoy this feed. |  |
| March Spring is in the air and it’s time for birds to start thinking about a family. With home building and breeding taking place our feathered friends require food that will keep them healthy and ensure their young family is fighting fit.
The energy expended by a female bird in forming and laying eggs is enormous. The number of clutches and size of clutches is dependent on the availability of food. In some species a whole nesting season may be missed if there is insufficient food.
Designed to provide high energy to smaller garden birds at a time when the demands of breeding and nurturing are at a peak ‘All Seasons Plus’ is a welcome energy boost. ‘Goldencrest’ is also perfect when extra energy is needed in the Spring / Summer, as rearing young makes full demands of your garden birds.
Early summer is perhaps the most useful time to offer live food, such as mealworms, on the bird table. Many species feed fledglings in the nest entirely on insects and other invertebrate. In dry weather, worms borrow deeper and are difficult to find. Many people report an increase in garden birdlife when feeding mealworms.
Look out for the first swallows arriving in late March. |  |
| April ‘Songbird Delight’, ensures year-round nutrition, especially for softbilled songbirds such as Robins, Thrushes and Blackbirds. Suitable for table and ground feeding, it supplies nourishment they are not usually able to access.
With the number of Swallow and House Martin nesting sites declining, these industrious birds require all the assistance we are able to give. Dry spring weather is a delight for us, but for these hard workers it can mean disaster. Mud is needed to sculpt their nest, without it they are unable to provide the security needed for the little ones. Schwegler has designed a range of nests to resemble those built by House Martins and Swallows, offering a helping hand. |  |
| May Water in the garden in the form of a pond or birdbath will encourage a variety of birds to visit your garden all year round. Birds will drink and bathe, so it’s important to keep the container clean and change the water regularly, as it soon becomes soiled with dust, feathers and feather parasites. |  |
| June Packed with protein rich insects, wholesome berries and fruit, the new ‘Insect and Berry Bun’ is formulated to attract ground feeding birds such as Blackbirds, Robins and Thrushes and is an ideal food for any garden birds during rearing. Also great to feed from a table. |  |
| July During the summer months, adult birds are busy gathering food for their offspring, as well as themselves. To reduce the workload of parent birds, supplying food such as the widely popular ‘Goldencrest’, will assist them, making their role much easier.
Common summer species include: Pied Wagtail, Blue Tits, Blackbirds, Starlings and Bullfinches. |  |
| August Don’t forget to supply clean water for birds just arriving or passing through!
Black Sunflower with a thin seed coat gives easy access to an oil-rich kernel. Hugely popular, it is perfect for feeders, table and ground feeding. Both regulars and visitors to your garden will enjoy this treat.
Nuthatches increasingly visit gardens at this time of year. |  |
| September Grey Wagtail, Marsh Tit, Tree Creeper, Jay, Chaffinch and Goldfinch are all regular autumn visitors to the garden. House sparrows will continue to use water for bathing during the autumn.
Swallows and House Martins will begin to leave Britain and head south on their annual migration. Other species will be heading into Britain to spend the winter.
Badgers are becoming more frequent visitors to our gardens. If you are lucky enough to have these nocturnal creatures, a useful method for observing them is to place red cellophane (or even a brown paper bag) over a torch. This will ensure you won’t disturb them while watching their every move!
To survive winter, hedgehogs need a suitable place to hibernate. An oak hedgehog house will exclude predators and is well insulated to keep your little visitors snug through the winter. September is a good time to put out a hedgehog house as these little visitors like explore habitat in advance.Important: Never feed hedgehogs bread and milk. |  |
| October Over the past few decades, the changes in our countryside have greatly reduced the amount of food available for bats and the wide spread use of insecticides has decreased their survival and fertility rates. Their habitats are also under threat and bat numbers are decreasing. Providing a bat box can assist this reclusive mammal while adding interest to your garden.
Starlings, Blackbirds and various thrushes including Redwings and Fieldfares readily overeat ripe fruit on the ground. Look too, for Red Admiral and other butterflies on these. |
| November Hedgehogs are great for pest control as they love to eat pests such as slugs. Placing additional food out will encourage them to stay and will ensure they have built up their fat reserves to see them through the winter. Mealworms are a popular favourite, as is tinned dog food and broken biscuits. Spike’s banquet is a chicken based dry food, which is nutritious and tasty.
For birds to maintain their feathers in good condition it is important to supply water throughout the winter. Other sources of water may be frozen and your supply could become very important. |  |
| December Winter is the key season for feeding wild birds. Birds visit feeders more regularly and it’s vital to maintain the supply of food during really hard weather, once they have come to rely on you. Fat is an extremely valuable food source during cold spells and the tasty ‘Colossal Cake’ will provide weeks of feeding. Perfect if you are away.
Our 'Premium Peanut Kernels' are rich in oils with a high-energy value, especially beneficial during the cold winter months. Peanuts should always be fed from wire mesh feeders to ensure birds do not choke. |  |
| Feeding Feeding birds and wildlife can be rewarding, educational and fun.
It’s well worth the extra effort of offering variety to see a diversity of creatures close up. |
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