Bird Foods

[Fauna]

Sorry if this has already been asked...i was going to tag this into Magicboots post on buying bird food, but did not want to hijack that thread.

I rarely feed the birds (except for the occasional kitchen scraps), especially through the milder months. But due to this adverse weather i feel there is a need.

What seeds should i be staying clear of due their potential of becoming or their potential for carrying invasive "weed" species...if there are any of course. Do they heat treat all these seed products?

Also, their Carbon Foot Print. One that springs to mind and one seed i won't be using would be Nyjer (Guizotia abyssinica).

I read that an average of 50-60 thousand tons of seed per year are sold to feed wild birds in Britain. I just want to be a bit more "ethical" in my choice when it comes to feeding the garden birds...

Thanks

[nightshade]

Being ethical will severely limit your choice and hit your pocket hard.
Why not make suet/lard and mealworm cake for a start, peanut butter in
pinecones works along with mealworms.
Most seed seems to be imported, I have just looked on my sunflower hearts
and they are from China ( my usual supply is Somerset based) try the crushed Maize, Oats and Barley

[Harold Smith]

One of our leading bird food suppliers, Vine House Farm, grows virtually all their seed on their own farms in Lincolnshire. They are also great supporters of the Wildlife Trusts.

Harold.