Wildlife

Wild Bird Garden Supplementary Feeding

Garden bird feeding provides significant welfare benefits to wild birds, particularly during winter and nesting seasons, while supporting urban biodiversity.

Key Facts

Over half of UK households feed garden birds, providing significant supplementary food
Bird feeding supports species like house sparrows, starlings, and goldfinches
Appropriate food hygiene prevents disease transmission at feeders
Feeders should be cleaned weekly with dilute disinfectant
Year-round feeding is now recommended for most common garden species

Welfare Considerations

Garden feeding supplements wild birds' natural food finding, particularly in cold weather when energy demands are highest. Provision of appropriate foods (not bread or salted nuts) and regular feeder cleaning supports bird health and welfare.

What You Can Do

Install a range of feeder types to support different species
Clean feeders weekly and remove uneaten food to prevent disease
Provide fresh water alongside food, especially in freezing weather