Gardeners are being urged to soak one common type of bird food in water this summer before offering it to wildlife.
Feeding birds that visit gardens used to only be necessary in winter when food resources are more scarce, but wildlife experts now say supplementary feeding is beneficial all year round. While gardeners don’t need to leave as much food out for birds in summer, it’s recommended that high protein foods are offered to provide birds with energy to build nests, feed their young and for the moulting season, which typically occurs in late summer. One of the best sources of protein for birds is mealworms and are particularly favoured by robins, blackbirds and thrushes.
They can be offered either live or dried, but if you opt for the latter, wildlife experts say the mealworms should be soaked in water first. This is to ensure that the mealworms provide birds with hydration, which is particularly important during the summer when temperatures are warmer and natural water sources may be scarce.
Not only does the water boost the moisture content, it also makes it easier for birds to eat and digest as they’re much softer, which is ideal for nestlings and fledgling birds who are still developing.
Experts at Vine House Farm Bird Food said: “There’s a logical possibility that some adult songbirds might feed dried mealworms to their young in the nest or their fledglings, and if the food isn’t firstly soaked in water then there’s a risk that a young bird could die of dehydration.
“Such a scenario might, for example, happen in an urban area where there was limited natural food for species such as blackbird and robin, and therefore the adult birds were especially reliant on food provided in gardens.
“The risk is not just because chicks in the nest and fledglings are entirely reliant on their parents for moisture in food to stay hydrated, but also because the dried mealworms will absorb liquid in the stomach of the young bird. A few dried mealworms might not matter, but an excess of them – because the food was readily available and with nothing much else to take – then we think it could be a serious issue.”
To avoid the risk of dehydration and ensure birds get more moisture from their food in hot weather, gardeners are urged to soak dried mealworms in water for at least 30 minutes before offering them to birds.
Lucy Taylor, garden wildlife expert at Vine House Farm Bird Foods, said: “Dried mealworms are a rather poor alternative to live, but if they are used, then they must be first soaked in cold water for a few hours before putting them out. Sultanas are another food which are good for some species of garden bird, but again, it’s essential they’re first soaked in water.”
Ivel Valley Bird Food adds: “Not only are dried mealworms a fantastic source of protein, but they also come with a nifty trick! You can soak them in water before placing them in your feeders.
“The mealworms absorb the water, providing birds with both nourishment and hydration. This is especially great during the hot summer months when birds need to stay hydrated.”