Feeding & care
The seasonal approach to feeding garden birds
The 2026 guidance changes the calendar for seed and peanuts. The aim is to reduce sustained crowding and disease transmission.
Feeding & care
Seasonal choices and keeping shared places clean
Feeding & care
A cleaning routine for hanging feeders
A feeder should be easy to empty, dismantle, wash and dry. Build those steps into the routine before refilling it.
Feeding & care
Choose a feeder you can take apart
The most important demonstration is how a feeder comes apart. Capacity and appearance come after access to its dirty corners.
Feeding & care
Where to hang a feeder and when to move it
Find several manageable hanging positions, with a clear view for birds and room for you to clean beneath them.
Feeding & care
Keeping stored bird seed dry
A low price per kilogram is only useful when the seed stays dry and is used during the appropriate season.
Feeding & care
Sunflower hearts and the question of leftovers
Removing the husk reduces shell waste, but hearts can still become wet, stale or scattered below the feeder.
Feeding & care
Peanuts belong in a suitable mesh feeder
Offer plain bird-food peanuts in rigid mesh that suits the purpose, and inspect the mesh as carefully as the contents.
Feeding & care
Small seeds and specialist feeder ports
Fine seed needs an appropriate port, small quantities and the same seasonal pause as other seeds.
Feeding & care
Using suet without leaving it to spoil
Choose a manageable portion and a suitable holder, then let temperature and leftovers guide the next serving.
Feeding & care
Offering mealworms in small amounts
A small serving is easier to manage than a generous dish that remains outdoors into the evening.
Feeding & care
Why the kitchen scrap bowl is a poor feeding plan
Reducing kitchen waste is worthwhile, but a mixed bowl of leftovers makes it difficult to know what wildlife is receiving.
Feeding & care
Rethinking flat feeding surfaces
A familiar bird table deserves a fresh look in light of current guidance on disease transmission.