Bird Foods

Bird Food

Both the RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology endorse feeding all year round feeding. In time of shortage the provision of supplementary food can reduce competition between adults and young for natural food as the adults will quickly "top-up" at the bird feeders and use all the caterpillars etc that they find to feed their young. The Greenfinch is a classic example of the benefits of garden feeding. The greatest mortality in this species occurs in April, the month in which people traditionally stop feeding.

The range of birds that visit your garden can be influenced by the way that you provide food. For instance, shy species such as Wrens and Blackbirds will be more comfortable on the ground near to cover, while more agile species like Blue Tits and Greenfinches are happy with hanging feeders.

Most birds will eat peanuts or seeds, but our research shows that seeds are much more popular and attract a wider variety of species.

The first decision to make is whether you will be placing food onto the ground or a bird table or using specially designed seed feeders. Feeding on the ground can attract a good range of species, including birds such as Blackbirds and Collared Doves which will only feed in this way.  Hanging feeders are particularly attractive to the more agile birds such as tits and finches.

Original foods.

This range includes traditional seed mixes providing a balanced and nutritious all-year-round-diet for a wide variety of birds and can be fed from a table or the ground. Feeder seed has been specially developed for use with hanging feeders.

Hi-Energy foods

A range of straight foods and mixes, all of which are extremely nutritious and of particular benefit to birds throughout the colder months and during the breeding season. 

The range starts with Black Sunflower Seeds, with a higher oil-content and thinner husk than the more traditional striped sunflower seeds. 

The ultimate Hi-Energy food has to be Sunflower Hearts which have all of the benefits of Black Sunflower seeds but without the husks.  Sunflower Hearts are attractive to practically all garden birds, including “challenging” species such as Song Thrushes and Blackcaps.

In between these two foods we have Hi-Energy Seed which is a blend of Black Sunflower Seeds, Sunflower Hearts and other ingredients; Hi-Energy No Mess (Hi-Energy Seed without the sunflower husks); and Hi-Energy Ground Blend, a specialist formulation of Sunflower Hearts, fruits and cereals aimed at providing a high energy boost for Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Robins. 

We also produce a range of specialist foods, which includes Nyjer Seed, a tiny seed often associated with Goldfinches, although it is also popular with less common birds such as Siskins, Redpolls and Tree Sparrows.

Fat products

Fat balls and suet foods are particularly valuable during cold weather when birds need to lay down fat as quickly as possible to survive the long, cold nights, although also of benefit throughout the year.  Can be fed as a hanging food bar, chopped up and scattered under hedges or rubbed into tree trunks to attract species such as Long-tailed Tits, Treecreepers, Goldcrests and Wrens.  We also sell Bird Cake Mix for you to make your own – just add fat!

Live foods

Birds have differing needs at different times of year. When raising chicks, they need protein-rich live food. Mealworms, Waxworms and Earthworms provide for this need and are also enjoyed by insect-eating species throughout the rest of the year.

Mealworms and Waxworms have long been known to be a favourite of the Robin, but Wrens, thrushes, Blackbirds, wagtails, woodpeckers and many more have been known to flock to the garden when live foods are on offer.