The RSPB has issued important advice for households on feeding garden birds during nesting season, recommending two specific foods to keep birds returning to your garden. As summer brings nesting season into full swing, insect populations are declining and weather conditions are unpredictable, limiting natural food sources for birds to nourish their chicks. However, experts warn against offering two common foodstuffs that can spread a potentially fatal disease.
Why Avoid Seeds and Peanuts?
Gardeners should be mindful of trichomonosis, a deadly disease in birds that can be transmitted through contaminated food. The RSPB, working with scientists, conducted a thorough review of bird feeding methods and ingredients. Based on their findings, they urge households to stop putting out seeds and peanuts between May 1 and October 31, which covers the nesting season. Trichomonosis spreads more readily during summer and autumn, with bird feeders acting as prime breeding grounds for the disease. The condition causes severe lesions in the throat and upper digestive tract, most commonly affecting finches like Greenfinches and Chaffinches, as well as pigeons and doves, leading to difficulty swallowing, lethargy, and weight loss.
Recommended Foods: Suet and Mealworms
Instead of seeds and peanuts, the RSPB recommends two high-energy, high-protein foods: suet and mealworms. Nesting season is a demanding period for birds, requiring foods rich in fats and protein. Mealworms serve as an excellent substitute for invertebrates like caterpillars that birds naturally forage for in the wild. Species including robins, wrens, starlings, and others will readily take to this food source. To ensure young birds absorb nutrients effectively, the RSPB advises soaking mealworms in water to soften them. They recommend scattering a small amount on the floor, ensuring all are eaten within one day before dusk to prevent attracting hedgehogs.
Suet is another outstanding option, providing birds with substantial fat content. Species such as Long-tailed Tits, thrushes, Nuthatches, House Sparrows, and woodpeckers enjoy it. However, during high temperatures, suet can melt and turn rancid. The RSPB advises avoiding suet products with visible whole large seeds like sunflower seeds, as these attract finches and increase disease risk. By following these guidelines, gardeners can support bird health and enjoy a thriving garden wildlife population.
