Winter Wildlife Feeding Guide

Winter can be a difficult time for our garden visitors. They are all in need of finding food for energy and to build up their fat reserves to keep them warm and get them through the winter. To be quite honest that is not so different from me. I know I find a few extra pounds creeping on during the winter months and I could say it is to help me keep warm. But the stark difference between myself and my garden visitors is that it is far too easy for me to reach for some high-fat foods. Whereas for your local wildlife, their food sources become scarce.

I love putting out food for my garden visitors. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I am rewarded with having such a large variety of birds visit. You may be wondering what would be a good mix of feeds when combined to provide a fantastic array of nutrition.

Winter Wildlife Feeding

What To Feed

• Black Sunflower Seeds – Slightly thinner shells and higher oil content than other types of sunflower seeds, making them more efficient and nutritious food.

• Suet – High calorific feed, take a look at Feldy for some of the highest quality fat balls on the market.

• Peanuts – High calorie, fat-rich nut that appeals to many birds. Nuts don’t freeze so they are the perfect winter feed. 

• Nyjer Seeds – A favourite amongst Finches, offering an oily seed that is high in calories. 

• Bird Seed Mixes – A readily available mix of high-calorie seeds is always a good option to cover all bases. Our Dr Green Wild Bird range offers a wide variety of mixes suitable for everyday use.

Key Reminders

• Keep them watered – providing clean fresh water alongside food is very important. Remember to check it has not frozen over at the height of winter.
• Keep it up – try to be as regular as possible with topping up your feeders, especially in winter. If their food source runs out at one location they are pressured into finding a new one as quickly as possible.
• Keep feeders clean – by putting out feed we are encouraging all local wildlife to come to visit. With this large mixing of birds, it is wise to keep your feeders clean to prevent any unnecessary bugs from being passed around.

Some of our readers may enjoy feeding their local hedgehog population. This practice should not stop due to the cold weather approaching. It is very difficult to tell exactly when your neighboring hedgehog will start their hibernation. But it is obviously important for them just like wild birds to keep up their fat reserves. So we would recommend putting out food for them for as long it remains being eaten.

It may sound like a slight waste, one day you will come to the dish and realize the food has been left. But in the grand scheme of things, I am sure you will be content to know your friend has had their fill until spring. If, however, we do have a mild winter this may disrupt their sleep and they may wake earlier than expected. If you do notice it being slightly milder, I would again recommend putting out some food. 

Throughout November, we are running offers on Wildlife feed and accessories for our petplace plus+ customers. Remember, if you need any advice please do get in touch with us. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you.