Energy Price Cap announcement: Watch Martin Lewis explain what it means for your electricity and gas bills this winter

What to feed wild birds

tealadytealady Forumite
3.7K Posts
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Mortgage-free Glee! Debt-free and Proud!
Forumite
Hi
Does any one have a link please to a list of good and bad foods for wild birds.
Am new to this so have just put out suet balls, mixed seed, crushed cereal and grapes. Plus rain water (from my butt) for a bath and boiled tap water for drinking.
Dont mind who arrives to the food (except rats!)
Thx all
Find out who you are and do that on purpose (thanks to Owain Wyn Jones quoting Dolly Parton)

Replies

  • MojisolaMojisola Forumite
    35.4K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/
    Good advice from the experts.


  • GedlingRedGedlingRed Forumite
    45 Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    I get suet pellets and mealworms for 'my' birds,  I have to fill up daily so they cost me a fortune!
  • MalMonroeMalMonroe Forumite
    5.7K Posts
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    I don't want to throw a wet blanket over anything but I used to feed the wild birds year-round until my neighbours asked me if I could please stop - because of rats. Rats (and mice) often come along to finish off all the debris left on the ground by birds. Because they get just as hungry as anyone else and who can be discriminatory? (Not me.)

    I live in a small rural village and our vermin are all of the brown, countryside type and not the grey urban type. I also don't mind those poor little tree rats - or squirrels as some of us call them. They used to get the lion's share of the bird food, I have to say. No squirrel, rat or mouse ever tried to come inside my home, though. But the neighbours had the power to report us, so we had to stop.

    Just something to be aware of. It's not just the birds you'll be feeding. And even if you put up a notice saying 'no rats', they won't take any notice.    ;)
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • sherambersheramber Forumite
    16.7K Posts
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    Forumite
    We lived rurally in a crofting area and fed the wild birds. The pheasants ( 20  one winter) and teh wood pigeons ate any seed that dropped on the ground.

    We did have one little field vole who would rush out, grab a sed and rush back to its burrow.

    No rats or squirrels.
  • Savvy_SueSavvy_Sue Forumite
    45.2K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    MalMonroe said:
    I don't want to throw a wet blanket over anything but I used to feed the wild birds year-round until my neighbours asked me if I could please stop - because of rats. Rats (and mice) often come along to finish off all the debris left on the ground by birds. Because they get just as hungry as anyone else and who can be discriminatory? (Not me.)

    I live in a small rural village and our vermin are all of the brown, countryside type and not the grey urban type. I also don't mind those poor little tree rats - or squirrels as some of us call them. They used to get the lion's share of the bird food, I have to say. No squirrel, rat or mouse ever tried to come inside my home, though. But the neighbours had the power to report us, so we had to stop.

    Just something to be aware of. It's not just the birds you'll be feeding. And even if you put up a notice saying 'no rats', they won't take any notice.    ;)
    It's a real problem, I was out walking in the country once and saw a lovely cottage with lots of bird feeders in the garden. Also saw that the garden was absolutely SWARMING with rats, in broad daylight. 
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • PollycatPollycat Forumite
    33.7K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Savvy Shopper!
    Forumite
    MalMonroe said:
    I don't want to throw a wet blanket over anything but I used to feed the wild birds year-round until my neighbours asked me if I could please stop - because of rats. Rats (and mice) often come along to finish off all the debris left on the ground by birds. Because they get just as hungry as anyone else and who can be discriminatory? (Not me.)


    sheramber said:
    We lived rurally in a crofting area and fed the wild birds. The pheasants ( 20  one winter) and teh wood pigeons ate any seed that dropped on the ground.

    We did have one little field vole who would rush out, grab a sed and rush back to its burrow.

    No rats or squirrels.
    We have wood pigeons and collared doves who pick up anything dropped from the bird feeders.
  • BronsonBronson Forumite
    3 Posts
    Seventh Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Newbie
    I think many birds’ natural diets primarily consist of worms, ants, flying insects, and other creepy-crawlies. Supplementing this with live food such as mealworms is excellent.
  • FrogletFroglet Forumite
    2.8K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Sunflower hearts are loved by all my birds.Fat balls in the winter for the blackbirds,not touched in a hanger,they tend to get wet and go mouldy.
    A couple,broken up and put out on a tray soon go.
Sign In or Register to comment.
Latest MSE News and Guides

Energy Price Cap change

Martin Lewis on what it means for you

MSE News

Best £1 you've ever spent?

Share your most impressive bargains

MSE Forum