October 2023 news
Why should we feed Wild Birds?
Britain's wild bird population have suffered a serious decline in habitat and loss of natural food resources, with the survival of many species under threat. By feeding birds in your garden you can not only redress the balance and help them survive, but you can positively contribute to the increase of their numbers during the breeding season, with the added bonus of a garden full of colourful birds and birdsong.
When is it best to feed Wild Birds?
Garden feeding has it’s greatest benefit during winter and spring when the natural food supply is at it’s scarcest, temperatures are low and birds need to quickly replenish their energy reserves. The supply of natural seeds is at its lowest in summer, and supplementary feeding can be a great help for young birds, and for older birds that are moulting their plumage. Autumn is probably the quietest time for feeding as the birds will be enjoying nature’s harvest.
How should I feed Wild Birds?
Because of their different feeding habits, you should provide a variety of feeding sites to attract a wider range of birds into your garden. Some species prefer Ground Feeding, but food should be scattered away from vegetation where cats may lurk. Conversely the Bird Table and hanging Nut & Seed Feeders, should be close to high cover to escape marauding Sparrow Hawks.
What should I feed the Wild Birds?
Different foods will attract different birds, and by providing a good variety gives you the best chance of watching a whole range of birds visit your garden. Meynells provide you with a great choice of mixed foods which are the easiest and most convenient way of feeding birds. To compliment these mixes we also offer a range of other products ideal for attracting a large variety of garden birds.
A large number of birds eat seeds and will be attracted to your garden if you hang up a peanut or seed feeder. Many different types and sizes are available, made from metal and plastic. Some even have a 'cage' around them to discourage squirrels and larger birds.
Winter and early spring is the most important time to feed birds, as this is when their natural food is scarce.
Choose The Best Feeder for you
- Peanut feeders are made of steel mesh, and are the only safe method of offering nuts to wild birds. The mesh size needs to be large enough to prevent beak damage and small enough to prevent large pieces of nut from being removed – about 6 mm is a good compromise.
- Seed feeders are tubular transparent containers with holes, through which birds are able to access the seed. These are designed for sunflower seeds and seed mixes labelled feeder seed. They will attract tits, siskins and greenfinches.
- Nyger seed is smaller and needs a special type of seed feeder. They are particularly popular with goldfinches and siskins.
- Hopper type feeders with trays or flat surfaces are suited to general cereal based mixes, although any seed mix can be used. They will attract a similar range of birds to a bird table. Make sure that all feeders drain easily and do not allow the build-up of old food with the associated health risks.
- Home-made devices - Half-coconuts and tit bells filled with fat, bird cake, etc can be hung from your bird table, a tree or from a bracket on a wall. They will attract greenfinches, house sparrows and tits.
In the Shop
At Meynells we have all you need to feed the birds this winter- we have different seed mixes that can be bought from 1kg right up to 25kg sacks – we have the following:
Meynells Wild Bird
An economical budget wild bird mixture blended from quality cereals, seeds and sunflower suitable for a variety of garden birds. Composition: Wheat, Maize Chips, Red Dari, Millet, Split Peas, Black Sunflower.
Garden Gourmet
A super premium wild bird food that is rich in carbohydrates and oil seeds. Provides a vital source of high energy that is especially valuable at times when birds are prone to stress. This is not only in spells of harsh weather, but also whilst birds are breeding and rearing young, and during the moulting season. This is also a superb mixture for building condition prior to migration, as birds ‘load up’ prior to their epic journeys. You can expect a great variety of birds to take this totally edible mix, which has the added benefit of leaving no messy husks or waste in the garden. Composition: Pinhead Oatmeal, Sunflower Hearts, Hemp, Peanut Granules, Canary Seed, Millet, Soya Oil.
Superior with Insect
This blend has cut maize, naked oats , sunflower hearts ,pinhead oatmeal , flaked wheat , white and red millet, peanut granules and mealworms plus rapeseed oil – these ingredients are packed with nutrition to provide high energy food especially important in the winter months . It can be placed in a seed feeder or scattered across the bird table and is especially attractive for blackbirds, blue tits, starlings and thrushes
Robin and Songbird
A highly nutritious combination of soft grains and bite size pieces blended with Sunflower Hearts, protein packed Mealworms and energy boosting Suet Pellets which are the perfect attractant for Robins, Wrens and many other small birds Composition: Sunflower Hearts, Maize Chips, Rolled Naked Oats, Millet, Pinhead Oatmeal, Flaked & Kibbled Wheat, Peanut Granules, Suet Pellets, Dried Mealworms.
Additionally we have individual items :
Peanuts
These are an excellent source of fat and protein and attract robins , dunnocks and wrens – our peanuts are certified free from harmful levels of aflatoxin
Black and striped sunflower seed and sunflower hearts
These are high in energy and nutrition and attractive to finches and tits - Sunflower hearts are at a special offer price at the moment too if you need to stock up
Nyger seeds
These have a high oil content and are especially attractive for finches –
All these can all also be bought from 1 kg to 25kg sacks
We also have fat balls ,dried mealworms , suet pellets and logs, filled coconuts which are even more packed with nutrition and an indulgent treat for the birds too and are another great source of energy – these can be placed in special feeders or scattered on the bird table – we have everything you need to feed the birds with !
As well as the above – we also have all the feeders needed for the different size seeds , peanuts and suet pellets and fat balls as well as the bird feeding stations to hold the feeders – a lady recently purchased one along with some feeders and seed as a housewarming gift for her father – a lovely idea!
You can also see down the yard a great selection of beautiful wooden bird tables – these are UK made and of great quality material and are certainly a sturdy and attractive feature for the garden