What to feed birds in spring

When you feed birds in Spring, you give them a vital leg-up in what is often an intense period of survival. As the mating season gets fiercely competitive, birds need all the help they can get when they’re jostling for a partner. Many will have also arrived in the UK from lengthy migration periods - they’re fatigued and are faced with the task of finding a mate and building a home (something that takes us humans years to do!).

So, this blog is going to run through exactly how you can help feed their survival in springtime - when you should stop feeding birds in Spring, how exactly you should feed them and the kind of bird seed mix you should use. Our blog answers these questions and more. Take a look!

Be prepared for the birds’ arrival

Your preparation is what counts. Do some research as to the kinds of birds that frequent your garden, and know when they’re likely to arrive. It doesn’t have to be spot on, just keep an eye on your garden! If you’re lucky enough to have a bird spotting club in your area, take a look at the recent bird sightings.

Two weeks before their anticipated arrival, start by putting a bird feeder or two out, maybe a birdbath, and make sure that they’re all clean and in full working condition. They can take quite a battering throughout the season! Once clean, you’ll be able to easily maintain your bird feeding accessories all year round.

What should you feed birds in Spring?

March

As March rolls around and the last weeks of winter are left behind, all you need is a high-quality mixed bird seed - the sight of which will be enough to attract all kinds of birds after a rough winter!

April

Once April is here, you’ll want to go for soft fruits like bananas and grapes, alongside raisins and sultanas. Just make sure your feeding table is cleaned regularly to avoid the food going bad on unseasonably warm days.

May

In May, your best bet are dried mealworms. Around this time of year, many birds need a bit more sustenance so with mealworms they’ll have substantial, yet tasty, food.

Everyday items - what to feed birds from the kitchen

There are some of food items from your kitchen that birds will gladly eat. If you’ve run out of bird feed, all you need to do is look in your pantry. Here are some common everyday items that you can feed the birds in your garden (even better if they’re leftovers - no waste!).

Cereal (with minimal sugar content) is a great place to start. Add water and leave to soak - the birds will love it. You can also feed the birds eggs as highly nutritious bird food. Cooked eggs are a fantastic source of nutrients, while the eggshell provides plenty of calcium (and doesn’t attract vermin or in any way go bad).

Feeding common wild birds

In this section we’re going to run you through exactly what you should be feeding the birds you’re likely to find in your back garden. Carry on reading!

How to feed robins in the garden

Most of all, robins love insects and worms, so get digging in your garden! Or, if you don’t fancy that, a robin will gladly gobble up fruit, seeds, sunflower hearts, raisins and small amounts of grated cheese.

How to feed chiffchaffs in the garden

The chiffchaff feeds mostly on small invertebrates - give them dried mealworms and they’ll keep coming back.

How to feed magpies in the garden

Magpies love to snack on small invertebrates, as well as a variety of berries and grains. You could also go for one of our tasty worm mixes.

Support your wild birds this spring

Like we said, Spring is a season that counts for wild birds everywhere. Consult our complete guide to feeding birds so that you’ll know what you need to feed the birds in your garden. In the meantime, head over to our blog for plenty more bird-related insights!