Surviving the Challenges of Late Summer for Birds: Boost Their Resilience with These Crucial Feeding Strategies
As the warm summer days give way to cooler evenings, gardens become a vital source of food and shelter for our feathered friends. Here are some tips to help attract and care for birds in your backyard during this critical time of year.
Caring for Bird Feeders
With the rise in temperature, suet melts quickly. To avoid wastage, consider using no-melt suet or holding off on filling feeders until the weather cools down. Regular cleaning is also essential. Feeders should be washed twice a month with soap and boiling water or bleach, or use a specialist cleaner to prevent the spread of disease.
Hummingbird feeders, in particular, require weekly cleaning to maintain hygiene. The Feed Garden glass hummingbird feeder, available on Amazon, features a bee guard and ant moat to keep disturbances to a minimum.
Choosing the Right Food
Mealworms can be a valuable source of protein and nutrition for adult birds, especially those feeding young. High-fat foods such as suet cakes, crushed peanuts, and peanut butter provide essential energy. Start introducing seed mixes rich in sunflower seeds, Niger seeds, and peanut hearts to attract a variety of birds.
Fruits like half oranges, half apples, and soft bananas can also attract certain species of birds. However, let seed heads dry on the stem to provide a feast for birds and add texture and structure to the garden, rather than deadheading them in late summer.
Providing Fresh Water
Birds rely on gardens and feeders to build fat reserves for migration and cooler nights. A bird bath should be placed in a shaded area to minimize algae growth and prevent food from spoiling quickly. Consider investing in a copper disk to keep the water clean and free from algae.
In late summer, bird cakes are not removed because many young birds are still learning to feed themselves. Providing fresh water for bathing in a bird washing box helps keep birds clean and healthy during this demanding time of year.
Maintaining a Balanced Garden
While feeding birds can be beneficial, it's essential to consider the impact on other wildlife. Deadheading certain flowers in late summer can deprive seed-eating birds of a valuable food source. Instead, let the seed heads dry on the stem to provide a feast for birds and maintain a balanced garden ecosystem.
By following these tips, you can make your garden a haven for birds in late summer, supporting both resident and visiting birds during a critical time of year. Consider investing in a bird feeder with an in-built camera for clear viewing of your winged visitors. Happy birdwatching!
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