Why we should all start feeding wild birds

Guest Blog: Matt Bryant, CEO of Harvest Pet Products, a family-run wild bird food company. 

Working in the wild bird industry, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible impact that wild bird feeding can have on our environment and communities. Beyond the joy of watching these wonderful creatures in our gardens, there are numerous scientific benefits that often go unnoticed.

Why feed wild birds?

Bird feeding can transform your garden into a thriving and vital habitat for a variety of wild bird species. By providing a reliable source of food, water and shelter, you're contributing to the preservation of local biodiversity. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, there are approximately 140 bird species that have been recorded in British gardens, with around 30 of these being regular visitors. Think how exciting it could be to look out your window and know that your actions have helped some of these bird species to thrive!

Garden birds have a key role within our ecosystem, eating insects to ensure they don’t overrun British gardens and agricultural land; less insects means less need for chemical pesticides. Woodpeckers are particularly good at this. Additionally, birds help with plant pollination and seed dispersal, which can lead to the regeneration of natural areas that provide food and shelter for other creatures.

What goes into wild bird food?

Wild bird food products should have a good nutritional balance and be tailored to suit different bird species at different times of the year. Bird feathers contain around 85-90% keratin, which is a type of protein. Because of this, we must ensure that our ingredients provide enough protein to support them throughout the year.

Here is a breakdown of some of the ingredients you might find in wild bird food, and why they are used:

• Sunflower seeds and hearts: These have a high energy content, are packed full of vitamins and minerals, and are enjoyed by a wide range of bird species all year round.
• Nyjer seeds: Finches love nyjer seeds as their beaks are the perfect structure to intake this smaller sized food. They are the perfect companion to mix with sunflower seeds, and are sure to draw some of the more colourful birds to your garden.
• Suet: Known for being high in energy, suet products are integral to help garden birds survive the winter months and prepare them for breeding season.
• Peanuts: Once again, these have a fantastic nutrition content and are particularly enjoyed by finches, tits, woodpeckers and nuthatches. Kibbled peanuts are ideal for nesting season, as adult birds can carry them back to feed their young.
• Mealworms: Mealworms are full of protein and birds will happily eat them either alive or dried. Birds who eat insects will enjoy these in the winter when insect numbers are low.

Top Tip: Soak your dried mealworms in water before putting them on your feeding station. This makes them easier for younger birds to swallow, whilst also providing essential hydration.

There are so many wild bird food options, how do I choose?

A good starting point is to think about what sort of birds you’d like to attract to your garden. You might want a wide range of species, or you might have a particular fondness for one or two. Perhaps, you know of birds that nest nearby and you’re looking to cater to their dietary needs in a more active way. Different seed mixes and bird food products are tailored to different species, and most manufacturers make this easy to spot on the front of packaging.

Next, consider the time of year you will be feeding the birds. Garden birds need more calories and high fat content over winter, whereas in summer their diets are much lighter. If it is breeding season, consider food that will be easy for adults to feed to their young.

Something which I place as high importance is the quality of the bird food, so please make sure you buy from brands who use natural ingredients. Check the bottom of seed bags to see how much chaff and factory dust has made its way into the feed – the less there is, the better.

A final point to note is that wild birds, just like humans, need variety in their diets. I absolutely love experimenting with a mix of products in my garden, and it is through trial and error that you get used to what your local birds want and need at different times of the year.

Top Tip: It is so important not to forget about keeping a topped-up water source close to your bird feeders. In hot weather, please refill this water daily, and in cold weather, keep it from icing over.

So, there you have it…

It is only through understanding that there is a science to bird feeding that we can play our part in looking after these wonderful little creatures and gain pleasure from their company in our gardens. I hope I have encouraged more people to take that next step and start their bird feeding journey.

If you do decide to give some of the products in our Wild Bird and Suet Shop ranges a go, please share your photos with me on social media and let me know how you got on!