Gardening expert Monty Don has urged gardeners to place five common items outside this month to help birds through the colder weather. With winter approaching and temperatures dropping, he recommends leaving out pastry, bread, rice, cheese and cooked potatoes.
Many gardeners already put out bird food, particularly in the colder months, but birds also enjoy eating some of our leftover food. Adding extra food alongside the natural supply can help birds stay warm and provide entertainment as they come and go.
What leftovers to feed birds in November
Birds will happily eat seeds and berries already in the garden, yet Monty said that the supply can quickly run out. He explained that food should be "as calorific as possible," with seeds, nuts and fat being the best options. On his blog, he added that leftovers can also help.
He said: "Left-over pastry, bread and rice always get eaten fast, and fruit is good, especially for blackbirds and thrushes. Grated cheese is popular as well as cooked (but not raw) potatoes."
Monty added: "Avoid anything salty such as crisps, salted peanuts or bacon."
Other bird food options
Monty buys dried mealworms which robins, tits and wrens enjoy. He said: "If in doubt sunflower seeds and fat-balls - preferably hanging so tits can land on them without being bullied away by more aggressive birds - are invariably popular."
How to feed garden birds safely
It is important to feed birds safely to stop disease from spreading. The RSPB urges gardeners to adjust the amount of food left out depending on demand and ensure it doesn't get wet. It said: "Busy bird feeders can become hotspots for disease. To help keep birds healthy, it’s vital to keep things clean."
Don't use bird feeders with a flat surface as there is a higher risk of disease spreading. Clean bird feeders and water baths at least once a week and place them in a new spot afterwards.
Monty also found a clever way to ensure food is evenly spread across all types of birds. He said: "Another way of making sure that all the food does not get gobbled up by pigeons and starlings is to find an old log with lots of cracks and crevices and pour seed over it. The smaller birds will extract every last bit from the fissures that bigger ones cannot reach."
