As nesting season approaches, the bird watchers among us will be hoping to attract wildlife to our gardens.
Robins, Bramblings and Goldfinches are among the birds commonly seen at this time of year.
But what is the best food to use to attract Britain's favourite wildlife?
Attract birds to your garden with the right food
As the nights are starting to turn a bit lighter, Brits are being encouraged to provide bird feed to contribute to the health of some of Britain's favourite wildlife.
Experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk are offering nature lovers the best bird feed to have on hand this winter and the bird breeds that can be spotted in the colder months.
Following the autumn migration, birds residing in gardens across the country change. The commonly spotted garden breeds are joined by birds from Russia and Scandinavia.
A spokesman for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “Providing bird food is a small but crucial way people from the UK can contribute to the health of British wildlife. It is a vital source of energy for the small creatures and helps them to feed their young and keep the wildlife alive.
“It is best for nature lovers to place food in a bird feeder or bird table in a quiet spot in the garden. If possible, the food should be placed away from the ground to avoid being taken by cats or other larger animals.”
GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk’s best feed for garden birds:
Insects
Small insects such as dried mealworms, crickets and earthworms are ideal for many British bird species.
Protein sources
High protein foods such as sunflower hearts, nuts and suet are essential for garden wildlife throughout the winter for building body fat and muscle mass. These foods, however, can be unhealthy when provided in large amounts. Bird lovers should ensure they aren't putting out large quantities and provide a healthy balance with different types of food.
Berries
Birds rely on berries for much of their health and so they should be included whenever setting out bird feed in the garden. Mixed bird feed that includes berries are extremely beneficial to sparrows, robins and thrushes.
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