“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!”
We love watching birds grace our garden throughout the year however, spring brings a whole new hive of activity. As the days get lighter, birds across Britain start to get ready for the breeding season – which means they’ll need a little bit of extra help from us to make sure they have all the resources they need to raise their chicks.
But what can you do to help care for birds in spring? From nesting boxes and bird baths to bugs and grubs, our quick guide will allow you to lend a helping hand.
Nesting Boxes
With the destruction of natural habitats like hedgerows, suitable nesting places are scarce at the start of the breeding season. One of the best ways that you can help care for your garden birds is to put up a nesting box in your garden.
Springtime is when your nest box will be busiest; there’s no need to kit it out with nesting materials, as birds will move this in themselves. However, you could leave nesting materials nearby in sheltered spots so they can help themselves as and when they need it.
Where should I hang my nesting box?
Nesting boxes should be placed in a safe and comfortable environment where birds are protected from predators and the worst of the weather. If you decide to place your bird box on a tree, just make sure there is no foliage blocking the entrance. For an in-depth guide, read our article on how to install a nest box.
Spring Bird Feeding
Similar to the decline of natural nesting places, food sources may be scarce during this key period of wild birds’ lives. The ground may be too hard to get to those delicious insects for one thing – so birds will be grateful for whatever help you can give them. If you’ve been putting bird food out through the winter, keep on doing so, as birds will already know and trust you as a reliable resource.
What should I feed garden birds in spring?
You can choose a premium spring & summer mix to be sure you’re supplying the best bird food at nesting time, but high energy things like suet and fat balls are another good way to give the birds in your garden the boost they need.
While things like aflatoxin tested peanuts are a good choice because of their high oil content, remember to always offer them in a mesh feeder. Smaller birds and chicks can choke on the whole nut, so if you offer it from a mesh peanut feeder it forces the birds to peck off smaller chunks.
Bugs, Grubs and Insects
It might sound like many people’s worst nightmare but, for birds, bugs, grubs and insects are a tasty treat! During nesting season it’s great for birds to have access to a plentiful supply of nutritious bugs.
You can help where you can by supplying Mealworms throughout the spring. Soak them in water overnight for a real treat, or try crushing them up so smaller birds can enjoy them too.
Bird Baths
Birds deserve a pamper too! A bird bath isn’t just a wonderful focal point for your garden, but also provides birds with fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. If you want a quick win, a simple tray of water is always a welcome addition. Remember to change the water frequently so as to prevent the spread of disease; you may need to top it up more often during warmer weather, too.
In nesting season, birds always appreciate easy access to water so they don’t have to travel too far from their young. This means that fledglings aren’t left vulnerable to predators for too long.
Share Your Spring Snaps
With a hive of activity in your very own back garden, we’re sure you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities. Share your Spring Snaps with us for the chance to win a 12.75kg bag of feed!
It’s simple to enter! Just share your photo on any of our social media platforms, using the hashtag #SnappyBeaks. You can enter via Instagram, Facebook, Messenger or X. As long as your photo is related to bird feeding or wild birds in some way, we’ll consider it as a valid entry.
