Feeding the birds: a mutually beneficial activity

Feeding the birds is a lovely way of attracting in local wildlife to your garden, balcony or window ledge. It gives you the opportunity to observe these beautiful creatures feeding, drinking, bathing and preening and even getting to know them and recognising individuals over time. 

It is good to help out our feathered friends, especially in sub-zero winter conditions when food (and water) can be harder to find. The benefits to our wellbeing that we can reap from this act of kindness far outweighs the cost. It is a mindful activity that can help us to de-stress and bring us joy.

The first consideration is where you will feed the birds. Birds like to feel safe when they’re feeding and away from areas they could be ambushed by predators. You will also want to be able to see the birds feeding from indoors, maybe from where you sit regularly. If you don’t have a garden, your best bet is probably to get a specially designed window bird feeder that you attach to your window with suction cups. If you have a balcony, you might be able to hang up a bird feeder. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, then you could either hang up a feeder in a tree - as long as it is positioned so the birds can’t be ambushed by a predator - or you could invest in a free-standing bird feeding station.

The second consideration is what to feed your feathered friends. In the UK, fat balls or suet blocks are a good option, especially in the winter. In addition, sunflower hearts, mealworms and nyjer seeds are all great choices, or you could go for a bird seed mix containing some of these. Old, bruised fruit, such as apples are another welcome option to put on the ground. Your local birds will also appreciate it if you provide water in a shallow dish too, or even a bird bath. 

It is also important to remember to be careful of hygiene - both for you and for the birds. The feeders and water dish should be cleaned regularly and the position of the feeder moved from time to time. Always be very careful to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the bird feeders and dishes. 

Once you’ve set up your bird feeders, give the birds time to find the feeder and once they have, sit back and enjoy the show. Why not keep a list of what species of birds visits?  You never know, you might even get the occasional unexpected guest like a squirrel!

‘Feeding birds means feeding yourself! Birds are part of nature and feeding nature is nothing but feeding yourself!’ - Mehmet Murat ildan

A close-up of a squirrel eating an apple left out on the decking for the birds.

‘Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one strand within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.’ 

- Chief Seattle