Feeding birds in summer

kildare lad

What are people's opinions in keeping bìrd feeders out during the summer, I'm relatively new to having feeders out , I have one peanut feeder and and one with sunflower seeds, so I'd like hear people's opinions is it good or bad to continue feeding them during the summer

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Absolutely. All advice nowadays is to feed all year round. In Summer the parents need the easily available food to enable them survive the hectic breeding and raising of young and to devote more time to finding other foods for their young. Just keep in mind that nuts must be in a wire mesh feeder and fats should not be offered. Water, of course, is another essential.

Studies show bigger clutches and better survival rates of nestlings where the parent birds have access to garden feeders all year round.

kildare lad

Thanks for the advice ,I do use a nutfeeder, and I've stopped using the mixed bird seed as it contains nuts and the birds throw away most of it trying to find a seed that they like . I'm buying 2.5 kilo bags of shell-less sunflower seeds , so I'm gonna keep using that

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

kildare lad wrote: »

Thanks for the advice ,I do use a nutfeeder, and I've stopped using the mixed bird seed as it contains nuts and the birds throw away most of it trying to find a seed that they like . I'm buying 2.5 kilo bags of shell-less sunflower seeds , so I'm gonna keep using that

Many more species would benefit from a decent mixed seeds than sunflower seeds. There are plenty available without nuts. I use, a 'no mess' mix where the various seeds are finely chopped.

Thargor

Yara Cool Dragon wrote: »

Absolutely. All advice nowadays is to feed all year round. In Summer the parents need the easily available food to enable them survive the hectic breeding and raising of young and to devote more time to finding other foods for their young. Just keep in mind that nuts must be in a wire mesh feeder and fats should not be offered. Water, of course, is another essential.

Studies show bigger clutches and better survival rates of nestlings where the parent birds have access to garden feeders all year round.

No fat balls in Summer or no to fat balls in bird feeders in general?

fryup

its just winter months for me,

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Thargor wrote: »

No fat balls in Summer or no to fat balls in bird feeders in general?

None in Summer.

kildare lad

Yara Cool Dragon wrote: »

None in Summer.

What's the reason for no fat balls in summer ??

denismc

The last couple of summers I have kept the bird feeders topped up throughout the year and I have gotten more birds nesting in the garden as a result.

Rubberchikken

we feed all year round. have heaps of small to medium birds and the crows have great fun ripping down the feeders:)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

kildare lad wrote: »

What's the reason for no fat balls in summer ??

Empty calories. Birds only need fat is very cold conditions. It's like giving kids sweets instead of a proper dinner.

Sundew

I feed nearly all year round according to demand! You can get special feed for nesting birds and fledglings.
I find the majority of my Goldfinches usually disappear, once the weather improves.No doubt there is probably plenty of natural stuff to forage on, however my bluetits,robins, finches and collared doves are always a staple at the feeders but don’t feed as heavily as in the colder months.

I already have discovered 3 nests in my garden. A blue tit has taken up residence in a nest box and a wren has nested in the wall right beside the box!

rolion

I left the bird feeder full and looks like my birds didnt liked the seeds or they lost the path to my feeder.
But look at what Mother Nature compensated me with...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

rolion wrote: »

I left the bird feeder full and looks like my birds didnt liked the seeds or they lost the path to my feeder.
But look at what Mother Nature compensated me with...

I can't keep the feeders full here this Summer. Mostly Great Tits (15+) and House Sparrows (20+).


Leaving seed for a long time like that is not recommended, as it can end up filled with bacteria.

kildare lad

Yara Cool Dragon wrote: »

I can't keep the feeders full here this Summer. Mostly Great Tits (15+) and House Sparrows (20+).


Leaving seed for a long time like that is not recommended, as it can end up filled with bacteria.

Same with me ive a 9 inch feeder with seed in it. I could easily fill it twice a day with the amount of sparrows around . First time seeing a greenfinch yesterday in a long time . Haven't had the chaffinches come back yet either. We' d wheelbarrow around the side , it got full up with water with all the rain we'd got in the last few days . I seen about 15 sparrows playing in it. Tried to record it and they all flew off

rolion

No small birds here for a long time to be honest.
After they devoured my fruits in the trees, just disappeared...

What should I do with the feeders then !?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

rolion wrote: »

No small birds here for a long time to be honest.
After they devoured my fruits in the trees, just disappeared...

What should I do with the feeders then !?

This year's fruit - as in the last few weeks?

Leave a couple of feeders in place with a few peanuts. Change them in a few weeks if not eaten and they have gotten damp. The birds will be back. August can be a quiet month for birds, particularly in urban or suburban gardens.

Benny mcc

Why no nuts?

appledrop

Personally I don't feed them in the summer. Plenty of natural food for them at this time of year+ better if fledglings learn how to get food naturally.

Even in winter I'd find that during mild weather feeder not as busy but on a cold day they are emptied very quickly!

We have loads of small birds around here + they all nest happily in the area.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Benny mcc wrote: »

Why no nuts?

What reference to 'no nuts'?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

appledrop wrote: »

Personally I don't feed them in the summer. Plenty of natural food for them at this time of year+ better if fledglings learn how to get food naturally.

Even in winter I'd find that during mild weather feeder not as busy but on a cold day they are emptied very quickly!

We have loads of small birds around here + they all nest happily in the area.

That flies in the face of all studies over the past twenty years. Read post #2.

Benny mcc

Yara Cool Dragon wrote: »

Absolutely. All advice nowadays is to feed all year round. In Summer the parents need the easily available food to enable them survive the hectic breeding and raising of young and to devote more time to finding other foods for their young. Just keep in mind that nuts must be in a wire mesh feeder and fats should not be offered. Water, of course, is another essential.

Studies show bigger clutches and better survival rates of nestlings where the parent birds have access to garden feeders all year round.

Sorry took it up wrong but why only in wire mesh?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Benny mcc wrote: »

Sorry took it up wrong but why only in wire mesh?

Forces the adult to peck and only get small pieces through the wire mesh, thus no risk of choking if given to a youngster.

appledrop

Actually this year I feed them including June as weather so cold. They disappear really from our garden in suburbia in July/ August as first year or two I feed them in summer.

I find it unhygienic to keep food out in summer in a small garden

Benny mcc

Yara Cool Dragon wrote: »

Forces the adult to peck and only get small pieces through the wire mesh, thus no risk of choking if given to a youngster.

Don't think the bird would bring a full nut back to its young and stick it in its mouth. Often hear that said but birds aren't daft 😉