Autumn Bird Feeding Tips: How to Help UK Garden Birds Through the Cold Months

Feeding birds in autumn is one of the most important times, as it helps them build up much needed energy reserves either for the cold winter ahead, or for migrations that they might be doing.  

What UK garden birds need in autumn

High energy seeds include sunflower seeds, black sunflower seeds and peanuts - these are all great for birds. 

Likewise - suet is great to give to birds, as it's high fat content gives them a boost before the cold months ahead.  

What companies selling bird seed or bird seed gift boxes tend to do

We noticed that lots of companies that sell bird seed, particularly in bird seed or bird feeding gift boxes, just sell year round, generic mixes of bird seed. Within this, they won't change the ratios of seed within each mix, which means the birds might not be getting optimum nutrition for the months in question. 

Why Our Autumn Bird Seed Gift Box Is Different

At The Wild Garden Box, we ensure that our bird seed mix is deliberately tailored depending on the months it's being sent out in. It's always completely seasonal. In Autumn, we ensure that our bird seed and wildflower gift boxes contain a bird seed mix that leans much more heavily towards sunflower hearts and black sunflower hearts, and peanut granules.  

In Spring, the focus is much more on high protein foods while the birds feed their young. They don't need as much energy dense seeds. 

Tips for Keeping Bird Feeders Clean and Safe

Keeping your bird feeders clean isn’t just about appearances — it’s vital for protecting garden birds from disease and helping them stay healthy all year round.

• Clean feeders regularly – Wash bird feeders about once a week with warm, soapy water or a mild disinfectant suitable for wildlife. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before refilling.

• Remove old or mouldy seed – Birds can become ill from spoiled food, so check feeders regularly and dispose of any damp or clumped seed.

• Wipe feeding areas – Clean perches and surrounding surfaces to prevent the build-up of droppings, which can spread infection.

• Move feeders occasionally – Shifting feeders around the garden helps reduce the build-up of waste in one spot and keeps the ground healthier.

• Use fresh food – Only put out what birds will eat in a couple of days to keep the food fresh and appetising.

• Don’t forget water sources – Clean bird baths and water dishes every few days to stop bacteria and algae building up.

Simple steps like these can make a big difference to the health of your local bird population and keep your feeding station a safe, welcoming spot all year round. 

Ultimately, feeding birds is a lovely and rewarding pasttime, and any nutritious food is good food. But - we might as well try and tailor what we're giving our feathered friends as much as we can, if we have the ability to do so.

Support your local birds this autumn with our Wild Autumn Gift Box — packed with seasonal seed mixes tailored for the colder months!