Bird feeders and the Summer months

[Mark43]

Sorry if it's been asked before but just wondering what your thoughts are on leaving feeders/food out for the birds during the Summer months.

I have read several articles which state it's best to take then all down during the Summer as mother nature will provide the birds with all they need during this "time of plenty".

My thoughts are they need all the help they can get as i believe nothing is guaranteed in the way of food sources for our feathered friends.

What do you do,why do you do it and your thoughts in general please.

[nightshade]

The young birds need inects at first but the parents will still need a reliable food source to keep them selves going
Just avoid putting anything out that could get fed to the young that would choke them! Do not forget there is an extra imperative for water to drink and bathe in
My neighbour told me off for not filling my feeders ,as he could no longer see the Goldfinches!!

[digi]

Leave them up, they will be there when and if needed and the birds will be used to them.

[Polecat]

I don't use peanuts during the months ahead.........I have used black sunflower seeds and other small seed mixes, is this considered OK?.....


I try to keep the water topped up, bathing and drinking seem to be a routine with the birds too!

[Helen]

Originally Posted by Polecat

I don't use peanuts during the months ahead.........I have used black sunflower seeds and other small seed mixes, is this considered OK?.....

Yes, that's just fine.

I feed mealworms all year round, especially more so during the breeding months.

As has been mentioned, though the chicks need protein/fat in insects to grow, the adults do welcome the seeds you provide, for themselves.

[nightshade]

Hi Helen do you feed live mealworms? how do you buy them I have tried dried and live
but none of the birds seem keen,they do like fishing maggots and worms though!

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Forgive my ignornance, but i feed the birds round our lake Sunflower seeds, i presume it is still ok to feed them these

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Hi Helen do you feed live mealworms? how do you buy them I have tried dried and live
but none of the birds seem keen,they do like fishing maggots and worms though!

You shouldn't feed maggots, as I have heard the maggots eat their way out of the stomach of the bird killing it..

I keep my feeders up all year round the birds only eat when they need them..

[nightshade]

Hi Kayleigh,I cannot imagine a maggot getting into a birds stomach alive,they seem to know just where to peck or squeeze them and they have been doing it for an awful long time now

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Hi Kayleigh,I cannot imagine a maggot getting into a birds stomach alive,they seem to know just where to peck or squeeze them and they have been doing it for an awful long time now

I have not witnessed this myself just going on what I have read.

[Wild-Woman]

The greenfinches, goldfinches and sparrows still seem ravenous and empty the feeders each day. I've been soaking dried mealworms and the robin, wren and starlings love them. I just wish the mealworms weren't so expensive. How do you 'grow your own'? The peanut feeders aren't being touched so they'll come down tomorrow.
I leave a large piece of wood on the lawn over night that slugs etc get under then turn it over early morning for the blackbird to take whats stuck to it. ww

[Tragus]

Hi WW
Here's a link to growing your own mealworms....
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/whatyou...ture/index.asp
It's not as easy as it looks but it's worth a try
Jo


As for feeding birds during the summer, so long as food it in suitable containers the birds will only take what they can peck out, hopefully small enough for feeding.
As for peanuts and sunflower hearts I crush mine and put them in fat as well as in hanging containers.
We don't use maggots at our centre as they smell awful!! but if you squash them I know other centres do use them.]

Jo

[Wild-Woman]

Thank you for the link Tragus.Might give it a go-grow your own mealworms. Cheers.ww

[henrya]

If growing mealworms was easy, maybe they wouldn't be so expensive! (just a warning thought)

henrya

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by henrya

If growing mealworms was easy, maybe they wouldn't be so expensive! (just a warning thought)

henrya

A better bet would be encouraging insects into your garden by using woodpiles, native plants, nectaring plants etc. then the birds can help themselves.

[nightshade]

I agree heartily with the long term improvements to provide better habitat/feeding areas,but looking at the weather we should all continue to feed the birds,the results to breeding could be severe otherwise! (and a weakened bird population is more susceptible to disease)