FAQ’s

Below is a list of frequently asked questions, if we can help with any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us

Should I feed the birds through the summer months?

Feeding birds all year round is now fully endorsed by top bird experts and bodies such as the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). This is due to the fact that natural food shortages can happen at any time of the year. By supplying good quality fresh supplementary food in your garden all year round, you will ensure plentiful food for the birds through hungry gaps, and be rewarded by frequent visitors to your garden.

How do I know what to feed?

Every garden is different and the visitors you get will depend on what bird species are in your locality. To attract a range of birds to your garden provide a mixture of seeds, nuts, suets and worms – this will ensure you are providing food for all tastes! Put small amounts out at first and keep it fresh, monitor the birds coming in and see what they like best. Feeding a seed mix will provide a range of seeds for different birds. Sunflower hearts are an all round favourite – especially for the goldfinches. Peanuts are loved by woodpeckers and tits, and suets cater for a range of bird species. Ground feeding birds, especially Robins will love a handful of our munchy, crunchy dried mealworms!

Which feeder do I use?

Seeds

All our seed mixes and straight seeds can be feed through our range of seed feeders. These come in arrange of designs and sizes to suit your garden, and you can add a feeder tray to catch any seeds.

Peanuts

Our premium peanuts and peanut splits must be fed through a mesh peanut feeder to ensure the peanuts cannot be taken whole.

Suets

Suet pellets can be feed through a specialist pellet feeder or through our seed feeders. Suet blocks fit into our square shaped feeders, and fatballs into our range of fatball feeders which hold up to 10 fatballs!

How often should I clean my feeders?

It’s really important to maintain and disinfect feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease in and around feeding areas in your garden.

To start, ensure each time you fill your feeder it is completely empty of any old seed, and clear of any uneaten food stuck at the base of the feeder. When cleaning use our hygiene spray and brush to ensure the feeders are thoroughly clean and all bacteria is killed. After cleaning ensure the feeder is completely dry to prevent the survival of some bacteria’s after washing.

Keep your feeding area clean to prevent disease spread. Clean uneaten debris and seed shells from under your feeders regularly – consider using one of our ground feeding trays to keep seed fresh on the ground. Moving the location of your feeders gives feeding areas a complete break therefore preventing the build up of disease.

How do I best store birdseed?

To elongate the life of our birdseed ensure it is kept cool and dry. Keeping it dry will prevent the seed getting mouldy and stop it germinating. Keeping it cool will prolong the life of the seed and preserve the condition of it, this can be achieved by simply keeping it in an outside shed or garage, out of direct sunlight. Keeping the seed in an airtight plastic container will keep it fresher for longer, as well as keeping out vermin.

How do I deter squirrels?

One of the biggest challenges in any garden with bird food! As well as eating the seed squirrels can also demolish feeders. In the first line of defence, if possible, locate feeders away from trees or buildings so they can’t be easily accessed by squirrels. A feeding station is ideal for this, with the addition of some grease on the pole to prevent the squirrels climbing! When it comes to selecting a feeder, ensure you choose a metal one to prevent squirrel damage. Visit our squirrel proof feeder page for a range of feeders designed to prevent, or stop squirrels completely!

Where do I put my nest box?

Once you have purchased a nest box, give the location of it some good consideration to optimise the chance of the birds in your garden making it their home. Most gardens have room for a box, in larger gardens you may have room for more – ensure the boxes are placed a good distance apart as birds don’t appreciate close neighbours, and place away from feeding areas for a peaceful home.

Ensure the place you have chosen is sheltered from wind and rain or direct sunlight. The ideal way to face a box is North East, or South if sheltered from sunlight. We sell nest boxes with a small hole for species such as blue tits, or an open front favoured by robins and wrens. We also stock sparrow colony boxes with three houses together. Place the box between 1-3 metres from the ground, and erect the box well before breeding season for it to get a little weathered and settled in the garden and surroundings. Once you have residents, enjoy watching (from a distance) the fledglings, and you may be blessed with more than one brood in the breeding season. In the winter empty the boxes and give them a clean in preparation for the following Spring.

What should I do if I find a fledgling?

Firstly if you see a fledgling alone don’t panic! It’s a common sight to see them on their own, rather than being abandoned it is more than likely waiting for a food delivery, moving a fledgling at this point can be harmful as it’s parents may not find it. Observe the fledgling from a distance for an hour or two to see if its parents return, if it is in imminent danger only move it a short distance to ensure the parents can find it again. It is common in birds for both parents to feed the chicks, therefore if one parent has been killed it is more than likely the other will return, the best way to help here is to ensure plentiful food is around for both parents and chicks. Only intervene if absolutely necessary, if you are sure the chick has been abandoned you can call the RSPB for advice or contact your local wildlife hospital.