Feeding birds in summer

Feeding the birds

Feeding birds used to be a winter activity, from Christmas until the first spring flowers appeared. But birds need our help in the summer months just as much as during the winter.

Premium Grade Peanuts

Because birds breed in the spring and early summer, by July and August there are millions more hungry mouths to feed. For tits, finches and sparrows, garden feeding stations provide a real lifeline. And even for birds like robins, wrens, thrushes and blackbirds, availability of insects, fruits and berries is, to a large extent, the result of gardening habits. The more bird-friendly the garden, the more birds it will support.

As we and the birds enjoy the summer sunshine, autumn and winter (when food is more scarce) are only a couple of months away. If this year's youngsters and their parents can obtain enough energy now, they'll have the energy resources to survive leaner times ahead.

Natural food availability

Nesting parents have a particularly tough time in summer. The job of finding hundreds of caterpillars a day is hard work for a pair of blue tits, so any extra food to maintain their own energy levels is welcome. They may also have to cope with dry weather, when earthworms burrow deep beneath the surface; or in wet weather, when foraging is difficult.

Live Mealworms

In July and August, species like blackbirds and song thrushes often have second and even third broods. This means they have to find food for a new family at a time when their offspring from the first brood may also be struggling to survive.

Supplementary feeding

Just as in winter, high-energy food is the key to summer feeding. Live food is also recommended as it allows the adult birds to supplement the food they can find in the wild for their chicks, and also helps replenish their own low energy levels. It's best if you can avoid foods that might melt in hot weather, such as products containing lots of fat.

Premium Sunflower Hearts

Peanuts used to be the staple item on our bird feeding menu, but the increase in alternatives such as sunflower hearts means we now have a greater choice. Peanuts might spread aflatoxin, a fungal infection that can be lethal to birds. Check the pack before you buy to make sure the nuts have been tested for aflatoxin. Whatever you do, never put out nuts intended for human consumption, because they contain dangerous levels of salt.

What to feed birds

The following food can be fed to garden birds throughout the year:

• Sunflower hearts are packed with energy, and are easier for birds to eat as they don't have a tough seed coat to crack open. They are also a cleaner alternative to whole sunflower seeds, as the birds don't have any seed coats to discard. 
• Mealworms are the perfect summer dietry supplement. Lives ones are best but a dried alternative is available. 
• Fruit is an excellent source of energy for ground-feeding birds like robins, thrushes and blackbirds. Raisins, sultanas, apples and pears are all suitable.
• Many leftovers are ideal for feeding hungry birds. Cooked pasta and rice are high in energy, as is rind or fat from unsalted meat. You can also leave out cooked vegetables, pastry and grated cheese, but avoid salty food or bread, as this can be bad for birds.

Happy Birding!
Peter, Anne & The Team

Our new website is live & looks better than ever

Have you seen the new Kennedy Wild Bird Food website yet?

We've given it a dramatic makeover - from the presentation, the navigation & even some new products.

The home page is bright, easy to find what you need & has links to special offers.

Here's a quick guide .....

Find us at www.wildbirdfood.uk.com
[click to enlarge the image]

We really hope you'll love using our new website - you can still find us at www.wildbirdfood.uk.com

Happy Birding!
Peter, Anne & The Team at Kennedy Wild Bird Food.

Summer Photography Competition

We've just launched our new photography competition titled "Birds Feeding In Your Back Garden"

We had a great response to our last competition last Christmas and now the evenings are stretching out & the days are warmer we're sure we'll see some really stunning photographs in the weeks to come.

The winning prize is a £50 voucher to spent at http://www.wildbirdfood.uk.com.

You must take the photograph yourself (no cropping from other websites) and you must agree to us using your image(s) on our social media streams. We will of course, credit you for your hard work though! All entries MUST be posted to our Facebook wall -https://www.facebook.com/WildBirdFoods

So fill up your feeders with loads of delicious seeds & nuts and get snapping away.

Closing date for entries is 5pm on Thursday 31st July 2014.

Summer Feeding Tips

Tips for Feeding Summer Birds

To make your summer bird feeding even more enjoyable for both you and the birds…

• Keep feeders in shaded areas to minimize spoiled seed and help birds keep cool, encouraging them to feed longer and visit more frequently.
• Decrease the quantities of millet or cracked corn to attract a greater variety of birds instead of just house sparrows, European starlings and brown-headed cowbirds.
• Keep cats indoors to protect ground feeding birds and immature fledglings just out of the nest.
• Protect birds from window strikes by positioning feeders correctly and using anti-reflective techniques to make windows more visible.



Droll Yankees A-Tray

• Add a bird bath for a fresh water source that will attract not only feeding birds, but also species that need water but do not frequently visit feeders.

Summer is a great time to feed the birds, and with the right summer bird feeding techniques it is possible to enjoy dozens of beautiful bird species right in your backyard.

Make the Most of your Garden Feeders

Kennedy Wild Bird Feeders

Bird feeders offer a fun and entertaining way to observe birds up close and connect with nature. They also supplement the natural food sources available for birds in your yard or garden. Different species of birds prefer varying types of feeder foods.

Nourishment for wildlife should come primarily from natural food sources such as native plants. Feeders should only be supplied to complement birds' natural diets.

• Provide multiple feeding stations in different areas of your yard to disperse bird activity. Feed in moderation, with only a few feeders per acre.
• Clean your feeders regularly with hot water, and let them air dry completely. Also keep areas under and around the feeders clean.
• Keep seed clean and dry, and watch for hold.
• Use a seed blend designed for your feeder and the types of birds you feed. Blends that contain filler seeds and grains (milo, sorghum, and red or golden millet) are not typically eaten by birds, and will often end up on the ground.
• If you find a dead bird near the feeder that has not been killed by a predator, disinfect the feeders with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.
• Place bird feeders in locations that do not provide hiding places for cats and other predators. Place feeders ten to twelve feet from low shrubs or brush piles.
• Many bird species will not eat from a feeder. Some species eat only fruits or insects. Provide for these species also by planting native plants and not using pesticides in your yard or garden.
• Black oil sunflower seed is a favorite of just about every seed-eating species.
• Suet feeders are a favorite of woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds. You can make your own suet or buy blocks of suet from a wild bird store. Typically suet blocks are placed in a wire cage that hangs on the side of a tree. Do not put suet out in warm weather or it will go rancid.

We have a wide variety of feeders & wild bird food online and in store - so visit us today & serve up a delicious feast for your feathered friends.

Peter, Anne & The Team.

Spring Sale is Extended through the Summer

We've extended our spring sale through to the end of July.

All Peanuts & sunflower seeds are reduced in price & come with free delivery for orders over £50.

Economy Peanuts

25kg of Economy Peanuts are now just £39.99 - offer valid until 31st July 2014

Sunflower Hearts

25kg of Premium Sunflower Hearts are now just £38.99 - offer valid until 31st July 2014

Kennedy Wild Birds has a huge selection of wild bird food, feeders & accessories as well as dog food & cat food. We're open 6 days a week so please visit us in store or order online for next day delivery.

Time for a facelift

With Spring well & truly here we thought we should celebrate with a facelift - of the website!

Our current website (www.wildbirdfood.uk.com) has been around for a few years now & whilst it works & serves many hundreds of happy shoppers every week, we don't want to rest on our laurels; we want to improve & expand. And that begins with our shop window to the world - the company website.

We're currently testing the new site to make sure the launch is seamless & painless - we think we'll be ready to go live in early May and of course, we'll keep you posted here on our blog & on our other social media feeds - Facebook & twitter.

Peter, Anne & the team are looking forward to the next phase of Kennedy Wild Bird Food & we're sure you're going to like the improvements we've got lined up for you.

More news coming to you soon ….

10% Off Your Next Order

We're running an offer for you to earn yourself a 10% discount off your next order.

All you have to do is recommend Kennedy Wild Bird Food to a friend or relative & asks them to quote your name when they place their first order by calling 01778 342665.

We will then ensure you receive a tasty 10% discount off your next order.

You can use your 10% on any of our fantastic bird seed, bird feeders, nesting boxes or even off your dog food or cat food - it's your 10% to spend on whatever you like.

So what are you waiting for - share our Facebook page, twitter feed, google+ page and website with your contact list & ask them to mention your name on their first order - it's as easy as that.

We're looking forward to hearing from your friends and you very soon.

Peter, Anne & the team at Kennedy Wild Bird Food.

Fine Wildlife Foods At Competitive Prices

Do you want to increase the number & types of wildlife that visits your garden?

The only way to achieve this is to offer some tasty treats to your feathered & furry friends & regardless of the time of year, you will see a marked increase very quickly if you regularly leave fresh food & water out.

At Kennedy Wild Bird Food we pride ourselves on delivering the finest wildlife foods at the most competitive prices - so you don't have to break the bank to satisfy the hungriest of your garden visitors.

Our high quality bird seed & bird nuts are personally sourced by our management team with value for money & nutrition being paramount.

And with our fantastic Spring offers on peanuts & sunflower hearts as well as our free delivery AND 5% discount on all orders over £50, we don't believe we can be beaten on price, service or quality.

Our website can process your orders 24 hours a day, and we generally despatch orders within 24 hours for next day delivery, so you're only ever a couple of days away from receiving your wildlife food. But if you need to talk to one of our experts, please call our office on 01778 342665 between 9am & 5pm and we'll do our very best to help you.

Peter, Anne & the team look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Feeding Garden Birds This Spring

Feeding garden birds

The modern approach to garden bird feeding is to use a range of foods that support the specific nutritional requirements of a wide range of species over the course of a year. There is a scientific evidence highlighting the positive effects that the provision of supplementary food can have on birds. For example, the provision of supplementary food has been shown to improve overwinter survival in a number of species.

What foods should I provide?

Many garden birdwatchers provide black sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts as their staple foods. Alongside these, quality peanuts, nyjer seed and high-energy seed mixes are all greatly appreciated. There are other foods, e.g. sultanas (soak in water first) that are good for ground-feeding Blackbirds, while pinhead oats are ideal for fine-billed Dunnocks (but should not be left out in wet weather). Finely grated cheese and windfall apples can be very useful, particularly in the winter, while peanut cake (a mix of fats and peanut flour) will attract species like Long-tailed Tit. Fat smeared into cracks in tree bark will be found by Treecreepers and woodpeckers. Live foods, such as mealworms are readily taken by Robins, Blackbirds and Wrens.

Black sunflower seeds:

Black sunflower seed was introduced in the early 1990s and revolutionised bird feeding by providing a high energy food in a readily accessible form. Black sunflower seeds have thinner husks than the more traditional striped sunflower seeds and so are easily to split open. Black sunflower seeds are a favourite of Greenfinches and tits, though they may be shunned if sunflower hearts are available nearby. The downside of feeding these seeds is the pile of husks left below the feeder. Shop now for Black Sunflower Seeds >>>

Sunflower hearts:

Sunflower hearts are more expensive than black sunflower seeds but they have two advantages. First, the birds can feed more quickly because they do not have to remove the husk. Second, the lack of the husk means that there is no unsightly pile of husks left behind on the ground after the birds have had their fill. Shop now for Sunflower Hearts >>>

Seed mixes:

Seed mixes come in a vast range, differing in content and quality. Cheap mixes often have a high proportion of cereal. These larger grains are favoured by sparrows and pigeons. Better quality mixes have a lower cereal content and so are particularly suitable for finches and buntings. The best mixes are carefully balanced to cater for a range of species. Some now contain added suet pellets, fruit or pieces of mealworm. Shop now for Seed Mixes >>>

Peanuts:

Peanuts are high in oils and proteins and have been used for feeding birds form many decades. Always buy good quality peanuts from a reputable source and avoid any that show any signs of mould. Peanuts are best supplied behind a wire mesh so that a bird cannot take a whole peanut away. Keep you peanuts in a cool and dry environment and buy them in small quantities, so that they do not sit around for too long. Peanuts can be contaminated with a naturally occurring poison called aflatoxin. Shop now for Premium Peanuts >>>

Nyger:

Nyger, sometimes seen spelt nyjer or sold as 'thistle' seed, is a relatively new addition to the bird feeding market and it is one that initially found favour with Goldfinches - which seemed to like the small size of these seeds. Because these seeds are so small they have to be supplied in a specially adapted feeder. They are oil rich and ideal for birds with delicate bills. There is some suggestion that Goldfinches now favour sunflower hearts, only moving onto the nyger when competition on other feeders is great. However, this may just be a local effect. Shop now for Niger Seed >>>

Mealworms:

Mealworms are not worms but the larval stage of a beetle. It is the larvae of the Yellow Mealworm Tenebrio molitor that are used widely as food for wild birds, as well as captive birds, reptiles and amphibians. Another less common but similar species, the Dark Mealworm Tenebrio obscura is sometimes used, the larva being somewhat smaller in size. Shop now fore Mealworms >>>

How much to feed and when

Try to balance the amount of food that you provide against the number of birds coming in to feed. In this way you will avoid creating a surplus of food that might go off or attract unwanted visitors, such as rats. Good practice is to clear your bird table down each night, removing uneaten food and any droppings.

Feeding throughout the year is recommended by conservation organisations, as it is not just during the winter that birds are under stress. If you are going away on holiday, then reduce the amount of food provided in the days leading up to your departure so the birds don't find that their favoured resource has suddenly disappeared.

Kennedy Wild Bird Food stocks a wide range of bird food, bird seed & seed & nut feeders - all available online & delivered next day. Shop online now & get free delivery & save 5% with orders over £50

Spring Visitors

During the spring and early summer, it's not just the milk van that will wake you early - it's dawn chorus time again.

From March to July, those feathered alarm clocks are at it again, as they defend their territories and sing to attract a mate. 

Springing into song

Our songbirds time their breeding season to the warmest part of the year, when there is plenty of food and lots of daylight in which to find it. As winter turns to spring, the lengthening daylight switches male songbirds into breeding mode.

The first songsters of the season are residents such as robins and great tits, joined later on by migrants like chiffchaffs and blackcaps to make May and June the peak time to enjoy the dawn chorus.

The early bird gets the worm

The first birds begin to sing about an hour before sunrise. If you listen carefully, you may notice that there is a regular sequence, with some species habitually starting before others. Among the earliest to rise are skylarks, song thrushes, robins and blackbirds, and as they do eat worms there may be some truth to the old saying!

A more relaxed approach is taken by wrens and warblers, that typically appear later. These smaller birds, who are perhaps more sensitive to the coldness of dawn, feed on insects that themselves appear later in the morning.

The truth dawns

The dim light of dawn is not a good time to go foraging. Food, like insects and seeds, may be difficult to find, so perhaps it's a better time to try and attract a mate. Singing also brings the risk of attracting a predator, so it is better done before the bright morning light betrays the singer's position.

The air is often still at this time and, with less background noise, song can carry up to 20 times as far. As the light strengthens food becomes easier to find, so hungry birds begin to move off and the chorus gradually diminishes.

There is another chorus at dusk, which is considered quieter, though some birds - like tree sparrows and blue tits – seem to prefer to sing at this time of day. It may simply be that we take less notice of it than the dawn chorus, when we are so keen to enjoy a few more moments in bed!

Sunflower Hearts are perfect for wild birds in spring

He who sings last...

Singing is hard work, and uses hard won food reserves, so it is the fittest, best-fed males who produce the strongest, most impressive song. Females therefore choose a mate who sings best, because such a male is more likely to be good at raising chicks, to have a good territory, or to pass successful genes to their young.

In many species, once the female has been attracted, the male will sing less often. A bird that sings on and on, late into the season, is probably a lonely batchelor who has failed to attract a mate.

Enjoying your dawn chorus

Peanuts are full of nutrients & are ideal for birds in springtime.

If you want to listen to a dawn chorus, then the best days to choose are those with fine, clear weather and little wind. It can be cold early in the day, so remember to take warm clothes. Late April through to early June is the best period, when most species are singing well.

Dawn chorus peaks half-an-hour before to half-an-hour after sunrise, but the variety of song can prove too confusing at that time, so why not get into position a good hour before sunrise, and enjoy the arrival of the performers as each takes their turn on stage.

Spring Sale is extended through to April

We've extended our Spring Sale on Peanuts & Sunflower Hearts throughout March & April.
You can now buy 25kg of Economy Peanuts for just £39.99 & 25kg of Premium Sunflower Hearts for just £38.99
Follow the links above now to place your order or call the office on 01778 342665.
All orders over £50 qualify for a 5% discount so why not browse around our bird feeders & live bird feed to add to your order?