Anyone with a garden is being urged to place a few handfuls of peanuts outdoors this month for a very important reason. September marks the change from summer to autumn weather, and during this time, you’ll see a big change in the wildlife too.
Wild birds are preparing to head off on their journey to warmer climates for the winter, and according to the experts at Haith’s, peanuts are one of their favourite snacks. Laying out some food for them not only provides them with essential sustenance – it also makes your garden a wonderful place for birdspotting. This is especially useful when the weather begins to change, and natural food sources are less available.
According to the experts, birds such as woodpeckers, tits and nuthatches are all huge fans of peanuts. It’s best to use the unsalted variety, and ideally, you should put them in mesh feeders to avoid any potential choking hazards.
Robins also love this healthy snack, but since these birds are smaller, you should crush the peanuts up if you want to attract them into your garden.
How to make your own bird feeder
If you want to really make your garden into a haven for wild birds this September, then you can make your own ‘bird cake’ which will help to attract many different breeds and give them that much-needed energy boost.
The gardening experts at Woodland Trust said: “This quick and easy treat is packed full of energy to keep birds going, especially important in cold weather.”
All you need is some peanuts, and a few other ingredients like dried fruits softened with water, breadcrumbs, cooked rice, and some grated cheese.
Then, just mix together your chosen ingredients in a bowl with some softened lard to bind it all together. It should end up like a firm paste that you can mould with your hands.
Take a clean yoghurt pot and pierce a hole in the bottom with a needle, before poking a length of string through it. Knot it securely on the inside, so that it hangs upside down.
Then, just fill it with the mixture and let it hang outside for the birds to enjoy.
