Many Brits relish the simple joy of feeding the birds that frequent their gardens. However, renowned British horticulturist Monty Don has issued a warning to garden enthusiasts, advising them to avoid four specific foods that are unsuitable for our feathered friends.
In a blog post penned for November 2024, the BBC Gardeners’ World expert revealed that this list surprisingly includes certain types of nuts. While walnuts, peanuts, and various others are generally safe, any that have been salted are strictly off-limits.
He said: “Pastry, bread and rice always get eaten fast and fruit is good, especially for blackbirds and thrushes. Grated cheese is popular as well as cooked (but not raw) potatoes. Avoid anything salty such as crisps, salted peanuts or bacon. I buy dried mealworms too which robins, tits, and wrens gobble up greedily.”
While Monty did not delve into the reasons behind his advice against salty foods, the RSPB explains that they can cause dehydration in birds. Additionally, low-quality peanuts may harbour the aflatoxin fungus, lethal to birds if consumed, hso it’s crucial to purchase from a trusted supplier.
Figures from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) show that over 140 bird species have been spotted in British gardens, but only 30 are regular visitors. The gardening charity’s experts also emphasise that each species has its own preferences, so understanding their favourite snacks can help make your garden more appealing.
“Use different foods and recipes to entice a range of birds,” experts at the RHS explain online.”Although fat is important, particularly in winter, also provide a grain mix or nuts to maintain a balanced diet.
“No-mess seed mixes are more expensive, but the inclusion of de-husked sunflower hearts means there is less waste and debris under the feeder. Inferior mixes are often padded out with lentils and wheat.”
While there are many preferences to consider, the specialists have highlighted the following key points:
- Wrens and small birds favour chopped animal fat and grated cheese
- Finches favour berry cakes
- Goldfinches favour niger seed
- Starlings favour peanut cakes
- Tits favour insect cakes
- Blackbirds and thrushes favour over-ripe apples, raisins and other fruits
- Nuthatches, sparrows and finches favour sunflower heads
- Mealworms and seed mixes are also favoured snacks for many bird species
Should you be keen to prevent pigeons and other large birds from devouring all the food, Monty also suggested using an old log as a type of bird feeding table.By scattering seeds onto it, smaller birds can access and extract every piece from the tiny gaps that others cannot reach.
For those dealing with squirrels, it’s advisable to use ‘anti-pest’ feeders and position them away from overhanging branches and other easy access points. According to the Express, Jean Vernon, of Richard Jackson Garden, has previously recommended: “Squirrels are rather partial to a lot of things in our gardens, especially the bird food. But they will also dig up tulip bulbs and eat them.
“They love apples, squash and sweet corn and collect masses of acorns, conkers and nuts. Why not feed the squirrels with a special feeder full of hazelnuts, then you get the best of both worlds, you can watch the birds and the squirrels too.”
Meanwhile, experts at the RHS add: “A good population of birds in the garden is part of a healthy garden ecosystem, helping to keep caterpillars and aphids in check, which can damage garden plants.”
Avoid feeding birds these foods
In his November 2024 blog, Monty warned bird lovers to avoid certain foods. While not an exhaustive list, it should provide a decent idea of what’s best for our garden guests.
- Raw potatoes
- Crisps
- Salted peanuts
- Bacon
For more information, you can visit Monty’s blog here.