Helping birds near you

When do birds use bird tables? 

A bird table will be at its most popular when natural food is in short supply, usually between October and April. But food shortages can happen at any time, so feeding all year round is best. 

Bird table and feeder hygiene is very important. Brush off debris every time you put out fresh food and scrub the table with a mild disinfectant solution weekly. Move the table from time to time to stop droppings building up underneath. Water containers should be rinsed out daily, especially during the warmer months, and allowed to dry out before fresh water is added.  

If you see a sick bird on your feeders, stop feeding altogether, thoroughly clean your feeders and store away from the garden (e.g. in the garage or shed). Only resume feeding after 2-4 weeks, but stop and repeat the process if you see any more sick birds.  

Some bird diseases can infect people. The risk is small, but precautions are worth taking. Wear gloves and thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning bird baths and bird tables. Clean feeders outside with separate utensils. 

It’s good to provide a regular supply of clean water for birds. It’s particularly important in the winter and in dry weather. Shallow containers, like dustbin lids or plant saucers, work well, but make sure you clean them regularly. 

If you are finding that squirrels are taking more than their fair share you could try chilli powder shaken onto bird food. This doesn’t appear to affect the birds but most squirrels will not be keen and leave the food alone. You could also look into investing in a squirrel buster feeder. The weight of a squirrel (or large bird) causes the feeder ports to shut, so they can’t access the food.

Although unsightly, 1.5" (4 cm) wire mesh around the table can stop squirrels and cats, but it will also keep away larger birds. Or, try an inverted biscuit tin fixed at the top of the post supporting the table.  

You could also try plastic bottles, fixed so they revolve, slipped along the post, or one of the available squirrel deterrents or baffles from our shop. 

Scent deterrents can work well for cats. You could try using Citronella, Citrus fruit peel or Silent Roar cat repellent around your garden.

Put out bird food and water on a regular basis through autumn and winter. In severe weather, you may find you need to feed twice daily. Birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather. 

Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to build up. Once you have a feeding routine, try not to change it as birds will become used to it. 

During the spring and summer months, birds also require high-protein foods, especially while they’re moulting. Be careful with peanuts, fat and bread during spring and summer. If you want to feed peanuts only do so in rigid mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces to be removed, since these could be a choking hazard to chicks. Home-made fat balls can melt in warm summer weather, and should be avoided. The RSPB Super Suet products are resistant to melting in heat.

Give birds a nest box and keep them coming back to your garden year after year. If you want to see the chicks as they grow, you could fit a nest box camera before the breeding season starts.

You don’t have to do anything about a bird nest in your roof. Many birds use roof spaces for nesting and usually don’t do any harm. All wild birds and their active nests are protected by law, making it illegal to remove or block off an active nest.

Learn more about what to do if you have birds nesting in your roof.

Almost certainly no. All birds their nests and eggs are protected by law: the Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981. This makes it illegal, with certain exceptions, to deliberately take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It is also illegal to take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. 

Cutting back shrubs is best left until autumn and winter, unless you're absolutely sure that birds aren’t nesting there. Hedges and some shrubs also offer berries to birds in winter, so consider pruning and trimming after they’ve been eaten.