5 Best Bird Foods for Winter UK

All types of birds will enjoy eating black sunflower seeds so they are a good choice to cater to a wide variety of garden birds that may visit your feeder. Small birds that are unable to crack the shells will snap up the fallen kernels dropped by their larger friends.

Be aware that nyger seeds grow mouldy quickly in damp and wet weather. Make sure to check your feeder regularly and replace any rancid seed immediately.

Avoid feeding salted peanuts to birds as their bodies are unable to process high levels of sodium, which leads to illness and in some cases death. Squirrels also love peanuts which is something to be vigilant of when selecting them for your feeder.

Alongside proteins and fats, peanut butter also provides iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Make sure to only feed bird-safe peanut butter, free from salt, sugar and hydrogenated oils.

Commonly sold in blocks or balls, suet is a favourite of woodpeckers, cardinals and wrens. As animal derived raw suet becomes rancid in warm temperatures, it is most suitable for feeding birds in the coldest months around December and January.

You should take precautions to avoid live worms escaping when stored. They won’t be able to break free from a deep plastic container, so a bucket is sufficient providing there is at least three inches between the worms and the lip. Store in a cool, dark place somewhere they won’t get knocked over.

Fruit becomes harder to find naturally during the winter. Fruits are a good source of vitamin C and fibre, especially attractive to birds such as Robins and thrushes.

Whole kernels are too large for most garden birds, so look for foods or mixes where the corn has been broken up into smaller pieces. Ground feeding birds such as pigeons, doves and sparrows will appreciate cracked corn scattered beneath bushes and under trees.

You can buy specific seasonal blends to ensure the correct ratio and assortment of seeds, nuts and grains for winter. When stored properly in an airtight container, seed mixes can keep for months and are suitable for many types of bird feeders. Scatter seeds underneath bushes for ground-feeding birds.

Suet can be placed in various ways around the garden to help birds gain easy access to feed. Bars can be placed directly onto bird tables while balls are a good option for hanging feeders.

Popular foods for winter such as peanuts and mealworms are often sold in bulk. This can be very cost-efficient and can be fed to birds either straight from the packet or as part of a mix.