There’s a rewarding and effective way to help nature this winter, right outside your door: feeding the birds. During the colder months, food is harder for birds to find. Insects are scarce, many seeds and berries have already been eaten, and birds need extra energy to stay warm. A little help from us can make a huge difference.

Here are some practical tips and ideas from people feeding birds locally in Bristol.

What to feed birds in your garden

Many garden birds thrive on straight seeds, such as black sunflower seeds, oilseed rape, peanuts, and red or white millet. These are loved by blue tits, great tits, greenfinches, goldfinches and sparrows.

Stephanie in Westbury-on-Trym puts out suet or fat balls throughout winter. They come as blocks, balls and pellets. Lots of birds like suet and it provides a vital source of energy for them, especially in the winter months. Blackbirds love husk free seed mixes and dried or live mealworms, which are especially useful when natural food is limited.

Keep it clean

Good hygiene is essential when feeding birds. Feeders and birdbaths should be cleaned weekly to prevent the spread of disease. The RSPB no longer recommends flat bird tables or trays, as damp food on flat surfaces can encourage diseases such as trichomonosis, which has affected finches, particularly greenfinches.

Grenville from St George in Bloom has found that avoiding flat surfaces helps food stay dry:

“I’ve noticed over the years that bird feeders, if left outside in the rain and damp, can become contaminated over time. The fat balls or wild bird seeds become unattractive and not suitable to wild birds in the garden, who do not bother to eat them” 

His solution is to use wire-mesh feeders, ideally placed under a small roofed feeder or shelter, to keep food dry and fresh.

Good practice when feeding birds:

• Use hanging or elevated feeders to keep food off damp surfaces
• Avoid flat tables or trays as a precaution
• Clean feeders weekly with warm soapy water and a mild disinfectant
• Rinse and dry feeders thoroughly before refilling
• Change birdbath water daily
• Feed in moderation - excess food can go mouldy
• Avoid bread, cakes, salty or sugary foods
• Offer sunflower hearts, unsalted peanuts, mealworms, and fruits such as chopped apples or berries

Natural food sources

Feeding birds goes hand-in-hand with providing natural food and shelter. Rhiannon and her family in Hanham leave seed heads on plants such as teasels, allowing goldfinches and other birds to feed throughout autumn and winter.

Their wildlife-friendly garden includes plants like red campion, which supports pollinators and insects and provides birds with cover around feeders. This helps birds feel safe with good visibility to avoid predators.

Native hedges and trees are especially valuable, offering shelter, food and nesting sites. Recommended species include hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose, holly, hazel, honeysuckle and ivy.

A changing climate

The unusually early ripening of berries after last summer’s hot, dry weather affected bird feeding patterns. Many birds adapted by switching to alternative food sources such as holly and ivy. Fortunately, the predicted “food gap” has not been too severe locally so far, but supplementary feeding and good habitat management are important during colder or harsher winters.

Join the movement

Feeding birds is more than a kind gesture, it’s a meaningful action for nature. Every feeder, clean birdbath and wild patch helps wildlife survive and thrive. Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or access to a community green space, we can all make a difference this winter.

Get more bird-friendly tips from Team Wilder