Finchwold
Feeding garden birds
Food, feeders, water, and the animals that turn up as well.
Seeds and peanuts from November to April, suet and mealworms all year, and the foods the RSPB says to leave out.
FeedingBird feeder types for a UK gardenHanging seed feeders, mesh nut feeders and suet feeders, and why the RSPB says to retire bird tables and trays.
FeedingSquirrels, pigeons and rats at the feederBaffles and mesh from the RSPB, why flat feeders suit pigeons, and how uneaten food brings in rats.
FeedingSunflower hearts, mixes, suet and mealwormsHow the main garden foods differ, which birds the RSPB and BTO name for each, and why there is no price-per-kilo figure on this page.
FeedingCleaning bird feeders, trichomonosis and bird fluA weekly clean from the RSPB and the BTO, what to do if a bird looks ill, and how the two pause lengths differ.
FeedingWhere to hang a bird feederQuiet, with cover nearby but not a hiding place, never under a roost, and moved every week if you can.
FeedingWater for garden birdsWhen a pond is enough, when a bird bath needs daily water, and the RSPB’s note on chloraminated taps.
FeedingFeeding garden birds in winter: a cold-weather routineA November-to-February routine for a UK garden: high-energy food, water that is not ice, weekly cleaning, and why bread is not a staple.
FeedingFeeding birds on a balcony, patio or tiny gardenOne hanging feeder, no trays, little mess for the flat below, and how to avoid inviting rats and pigeons into a shared building.
FeedingSmart bird feeder camerasBird feeders with a built-in camera, what to check on the maker’s page, and why hygiene, the seasonal pause and weekly moves still apply to a feeder with a lens.
FeedingBird tables and ground feeding, under the current adviceWhy the RSPB now says retire bird tables and flat feeders, what that means for blackbirds and other ground feeders, and how to keep the ground under a feeder clean.
FeedingNyjer feeders and goldfinchesHow a nyjer (niger) feeder differs from an ordinary seed tube, which finches the RSPB and BTO name for it, and how to keep a fine-port feeder clean and dry.
FeedingPeanuts and sunflower hearts: which, how, and whenPeanuts and sunflower hearts side by side: rigid mesh feeders, why loose whole peanuts are on the RSPB’s avoid list, aflatoxin, hygiene and the November–April rule.
FeedingFat balls, suet cakes and suet pelletsHow to put out fat balls, suet cakes and suet pellets safely: why the RSPB says never use mesh bags, what it says about hot weather, the seven-day rule and keeping feeders clean.
FeedingRats and bird feeders: spilled seed, hygiene and what to changePractical ways to stop bird feeding from feeding rats: smaller amounts, no scattered food, clearing under feeders, sealed storage and a pause when needed.
FeedingWindow bird feeders: what the RSPB says, and what to buy insteadWhy the RSPB now says not to use window feeders, and a short, sourced list of what people buy instead to watch birds from the window: a hanging metal feeder and stickers for the glass.
FeedingBird baths for UK gardens: a sourced shortlistWhat the RSPB says a good bird bath looks like (wide, shallow, gently sloping, changed daily), the tap-water and rainwater rule, and three listings checked against it.
FeedingNyjer feeders to buy: three listings checked against RSPB and BTO adviceA short buying list for nyjer (niger) seed feeders: what the BTO and RSPB say the feeder must do, three Amazon UK feeders and one seed bag checked against that, and why to skip models with a tray.
FeedingSunflower hearts vs peanuts: which to buy, and what to put them inA buying comparison of sunflower hearts and peanuts for UK gardens, using RSPB and BTO guidance, with checked Amazon UK bags and feeders for each and the November–April rule for both.