How to Support Wildlife

Supporting wildlife doesn’t have to be a big ordeal or lots of extra effort. If you consider the wildlife that already visits your garden throughout the year you can aim to give them an extra boost to try and attract some new species while you’re at it. Most gardens already get some feathery guests throughout the year and you can do a lot to support local wild birds.

When attracting wildlife to your garden, you should consider their basic needs. All animals need food, water and shelter as very basics for survival. If you’re trying to turn your garden into a safe haven for birds, you can introduce nest boxes that you might even be lucky enough to see get used from spring into the summer months. Many birds try to nest in places that aren’t entirely appropriate like house guttering or building them in the crevices of sheds. Giving them better options like a nice, safe nestbox that shelters them from the elements is one way to protect them.

A bird bath is a great way to offer your local birds fresh water all year round. If they don’t have access to fresh drinking water they may have to use dirty sources to hydrate themselves. You can also feed them to sustain them and different foods will attract different birds. You can put out different food depending on who you want to attract but also on the time of year and which birds are migrating to and through the UK.

There are lots of different things you can feed wild birds however there are plenty that you shouldn’t as well. You can be well meaning but do more damage than good by giving them the wrong food. Foods to avoid feeding your local wild birds include:

●      Any old or mouldy food

●      Dairy

●      Whole peanuts

●      Stale bread

●      Food containing salt 

It’s best to avoid most foods that are not for wild birds. While peanuts are good for them, feeding whole peanuts are a choking hazard and they should always be given shelled. Similarly, stale bread can be dense and hard to digest. If you’re throwing food out because it’s not up to your standard to eat, it’s probably not suitable for wild birds either. Stale and wilted food can cause stomach upsets. The best food for wild birds and the easiest way to feed them is by buying wild bird food specifically made with them in mind.

There is a wide selection of different bird food available, some more suitable for different species and some best for different types of bird feeders. You can choose between bird tables and hanging feeders, both of which require slightly different food.

Jollyes Wild Bird Food is a great all year round option for your bird feeders. It’s packed with tasty seeds like black sunflower and yellow millet, packed with nutrients for your wild feathery friends. The best bird seed for wild birds is something with lots of variety so you can appeal to a wide range of different species and cover as much ground as possible. The Jollyes bird food does just that so if you want something that’s going to be nice and easy to maintain all year without putting too much effort into it, this is a great place to start. You can always supplement this with other feeds at different times of the year to make sure you’re giving your local wildlife the best boost you possibly can.

Dawn Chorus Fat Balls are a great winter addition to your bird feeders. During winter birds spend a lot more time and energy trying to stay warm. The more calories and nutrients you can provide for them whenever they visit your garden, the better their chances of survival. Fat balls will help to boost their energy so if they need to spend it keeping warm, they will still have eaten plenty to sustain themselves. While you can use fat balls in summer, the wild birds won’t be as desperate for those calories and they spoil quicker in heat so you might find yourself having to throw them out after a few hours. In the colder months, they stay fresh for longer and are a great source of food for wild birds.

LFJ Millers Dried Mealworms are a delicious and nutritionally dense food to offer your local birds. You will be their favourite stop with this delicacy. Packed with fats, protein and fibre, they boost their natural diet to keep them fit and healthy through both summer and winter. You can offer dry mealworms in a dish or on a bird feeding table. You can even go with a more natural approach and sprinkle them in the lawn for birds to find. Spreading them out across the garden or having multiple feeding stations will help to reduce bickering over them. Dried mealworms stay fresh for longer because they’re dehydrated. In summer months you can soak them in warm water before putting them out which will help to keep your local birds nice and hydrated.

In creating a paradise for birds you don’t just have to stop there, you can invite all different wildlife into your garden. You can play host to butterflies, bees and hedgehogs to create a space that is bustling with life. As more and more habitat is consumed by the population needing more housing, natural green space becomes increasingly rare but you can give back a little by providing them with the things they need to thrive. You can plant flowers to attract bees and make a little hedgehog home at the bottom of your garden where it’s nice and peaceful if you let the area get a little overgrown. Not only will your garden look like something out of a Beatrix Potter book but you can sleep easy knowing you’re giving back to the environment you live in and caring for your neighbours or all species!

For more of your feathered friend’s favourites, visit us in store or shop online today!