Ground Bird Feeding – How To

Let’s Not Forget Our Ground Feeding Birds!

We have all witnessed garden birds feeding from bird feeders hanging from trees, feeding stations and bird tables.  But you might be wondering what’s the best way to encourage the birds that primarily forage for food from the ground?

To introduce or encourage more blackbirds, song thrushes, wrens, chaffinches, dunnocks, house sparrows and robins into your garden, we recommend you introduce the following to enjoy within your gardens.

Avian
Long Eared Owl
European Goldfinch

Providing feed for these ground-feeding birds is very beneficial because any temporary food shortages which can sometimes occur at almost any time of the year can be fatal.  If this happens during the breeding season, then putting extra food out can make a big difference, especially to the survival of the fledglings whilst they look to establish the next generation.

How Does Weather Effect Feeding Patterns of Birds?

Birds typically time their breeding period to exploit the availability of natural foods: earthworms in the case of blackbirds and song thrushes, and caterpillars in the case of tits and chaffinches. It is now known that if the weather turns cold or wet during spring or summer, severe shortage of insect food can occur.  Similarly at the other side of the scale, if the weather is exceptionally dry, then earthworms will be unavailable to ground feeding birds because of the hard soil. In order to help with this, we have a varied selection of suet pellets and mealworms to help prevent the possibility of starvation.

To also aid and support sustainable bird life for our feathered friends we offer Robin and Songbird, Premium No Grow, Premium Hi Protein, Sunflower Hearts all of which provide our feathered friends a healthy, balanced, nutritional diet.

Keeping The Pests Away

The biggest challenge of ground feeding birds is how to keep other animals away such as squirrels and pigeons.

To prevent this, we have a squirrel and ground feeding haven which will deter any large birds and animals, so your little robins, thrushes, blackbirds and wrens can feed in peace.  These metal-fitted ground bird feeders help to deter predators such as cats, owls and weasels from preying on our little feathered friends.

If you live in an area with a lot of cats roaming around, then the guardian feeder will also help to give your unsuspecting garden birds more safety while they feed.  Please note always avoid placing ground bird feeders without havens away from trees, vegetation and fences to avoid predators.

Can’t I Just Place Feed on The Ground?

Whilst it is possible to place bird feed directly on the ground, doing so can encourage predators, rats and pigeons – especially if you use low quality bird seed/food.

To avoid this, make sure you only provide high quality bird food to your ground-feeding birds.  This will help to prevent pests, as well as unwanted weeds popping up all over your garden.  Mixes such as our Robin and Songbird No Mess Mix, Premium No Grow, No Waste, No Husk and Premium Hi Protein Robin insect mixes are the perfect choice.

If you live in an area with a lot of cats roaming around, then the guardian feeder will also help to give your unsuspecting garden birds more safety while they feed.  Please note always avoid placing ground bird feeders without havens away from trees, vegetation and fences to avoid predators.

What Do I Feed Ground Feeding Birds?

Most bird feed can be fed on ground feeders.  But we recommend avoiding seeds still in their husks such as black sunflower seeds, as the husk is not readily degradable by the soil and can lead to bacterial growth, as well as preventing other plants beneath it from flourishing.

Our range of bird tables and feeding stations with feeding trays are ideal for preventing these issues happening.  Plus they make it harder for rats and mice to access and prevent seeds sprouting (look for a ‘No Grow’ mix to avoid this).

One final tip – remember to move around your ground feeders from time to time.  This helps to prevent disease and bacteria from developing and potentially infecting your garden birds.

Good luck and enjoy your garden birds whilst you help them thrive!

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