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What to feed the birds this winter


With the clocks due to go back and the heaters turned on in most households (and boats), winter is setting in for the season. While we snuggle up inside with hot food and cosy blankets, life for the wild birds living on Britain’s canals and rivers is about to get much harder.

There is however plenty that we can all do to help winged wildlife survive the winter. Waterscape has been speaking to the RSPB’s Gemma Rogers to find out what should be on the menu for birds during the colder months of the year.

“The first thing to stress is that the food that gets put out for birds over winter really does make a difference,” says Gemma. “When the trees and hedges are covered in ice and snow it really is a case of life or death.”

Everyone can get involved with feeding the birds. If you have a garden with a bird feeder or bird table you’re all set up but don’t worry if you don’t. The roof of your boat makes a great platform for feeding birds. Different birds like feeding at different heights so as long as you don’t have too many cats in the area, try putting some food on the ground. If you’re in a flat you can feed birds from your windowsill or better still, get some fresh air and feed the birds down by your local canal or river.

The important thing to remember is that once you start feeding the birds you need to keep it up. Gemma explains: “Wild birds return to the same feeding places over and over again. In doing this they can use up a fair amount of energy, which for a small bird is significant. If there’s no food there, they have wasted a lot of energy, which they won’t be able to make back.”

  • Fat balls make great food for birds during the winter. The important thing to remember is to remove them from the plastic netting. Many people put fat balls out for the birds without doing this, which can cause birds injury as they can easily get legs or beaks trapped.
    • Sunflower seeds, non-mess sunflower hearts and nyjer seeds are good for attracting small birds like goldfinches.
    • Peanuts are great for birds once the breeding season is over. Woodpeckers love peanuts and you can put them out as they are, grate or crush them.
    • Meal worms are popular with robins.

There are also plenty of household foods that you can feed the birds.

  • Mild grated cheese is good for robins, blackbirds and dunnocks.
    • Cooked potatoes opened out are popular. It doesn’t matter if they’re roasted, boiled or mashed.
    • Left over squishy fruit you don’t want to eat.
    • Dried fruit
    • Cooked or uncooked pastry

The general rule with feeding wild birds through the winter is to aim for high energy foods. Although many people do feed wild birds bread, it’s not the best thing to give them. While it won’t harm the birds in any way it won’t give them the strength they need to sustain themselves through the winter and you’re best off providing something from the list above.

A useful tip for those of you with greedy squirrels in the area is to use chilli powder. It won’t affect the birds but should keep the squirrels away.

It’s not just food that the birds need help with over the winter. Water is equally essential as birds need to keep themselves clean and make sure their feathers are providing the best insulation. Putting out a bowl of water, especially in winter when many of the canals and rivers can be frozen over, makes a real difference. To prevent the water in your bowl from freezing try adding a ping pong ball or stick. Never use antifreeze or salt.

Finally, winter is one of the best times to put up bird boxes. Birds do roost over the winter and last year the RSPB received a report of 68 wrens sharing the same nesting box. If you don’t attract any birds this winter, don’t panic. Birds are very smart creatures and will start recceying places for nesting in the spring now.

Last updated: 27/10/2011

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