Feeding birds in summer - useful tips for warm months
Many bird keepers and garden owners are unsure whether they should feed at all during the warmer months - and if so, how to do so without harming the birds. At the same time, summer brings young birds, periods of heat and longer dry spells. In this guide, you will learn specifically when it makes sense to feed birds in summer, which types of food are suitable now, how to avoid hygiene mistakes and how to design your garden so that wild birds are well cared for even without a permanent bowl. The aim: safe decisions for your situation instead of general tips.
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- Summer feeding can be useful if it is moderate, hygienic and adapted to the natural diet.
- Protein-rich food with small seeds and soft components is particularly beneficial for young birds and insectivores.
- Clean the feeding place and bird bath regularly, and refill small amounts more often in hot weather.
- A near-natural, insect-rich garden remains the best "food source" for wild birds even in summer.
Feeding birds in summer - useful or not?
Summer feeding of birds makes sense in many gardens under Central European conditions if it is carried out in a targeted and hygienic manner. It is no substitute for natural garden design, but it can be an important additional source of food in dry, urbanized areas and when there is a lack of insects due to the heat. It is important to adapt feeding to the breeding season, bird species and weather conditions - and to refrain from feeding if you cannot guarantee hygiene.
For a long time, it was recommended to feed only in winter. In the meantime, observations have shown that shortages can also occur in summer, especially in heavily sealed residential areas and monoculture landscapes. The decisive factor is therefore not the calendar date, but the specific situation on site: Are there many insect-rich hedges, meadows and trees in the area - or mainly stone, lawns and gravel gardens?
- Your garden is located in a heavily sealed residential area with few near-natural areas.
- You see lots of young birds, but few insects and hardly any wild herbs.
- There are long periods of heat or drought with dry soil.
- You can clean and check feeders at least every two days.
- You also offer water in a shallow, clean bird bath.
If several of these points apply to your garden, moderate summer feeding is more of an advantage than a risk. If, on the other hand, your house is located in the middle of a structurally rich, extensively used landscape, a well-maintained watering hole is often sufficient as support.
Which food is suitable in summer?
In summer, you should offer food that is adapted to the increased energy and protein requirements of the breeding season and at the same time remains hygienic. Fine grain mixtures without ragweed seeds, shelled sunflower seeds, energy-rich soft food components (e.g. oat flakes, chopped nuts) as well as specialized insect food and mealworms for insectivorous species have proven to be effective. Highly fatty dumplings in nets are less suitable in hot weather because they turn rancid more quickly.
During the breeding season, adult birds mainly feed their young with insects, larvae and spiders. Grain food is therefore more suitable for adult granivores such as finches, sparrows or buntings. Insect food, semi-ripe seeds and soft ingredients are important for young birds. Make sure that food is stored in a dry place and replaced regularly as soon as it becomes lumpy, smells musty or is visibly contaminated.
Note which species appear regularly (e.g. tits, sparrows, blackbirds, starlings) and whether young birds are present with begging calls. This will determine whether they need seed food or rather soft food and insects.
Provide a fine, clean seed mixture for granivores and supplement with a high-quality insect feed for observed insectivores. Change the food more frequently in smaller quantities in hot weather.
Use covered feed dispensers or silos that protect feed from rain and sun. Place them in such a way that no food is left in its own juice and draughts can keep the feeding station dry.
A combination of moderate feeding and near-natural planting is particularly worthwhile in family gardens. Children can directly experience how the birds' behavior changes over the course of the year. An easily visible bird feeder with an integrated camera provides additional, undisturbed views without having to be permanently "glued" to the window. Such solutions are particularly suitable in the summer, when there is a lot of activity at the feeding station, to observe behavior, hierarchies and feeding preferences.
Common mistakes in summer feeding
Most problems in summer feeding are not caused by the feeding itself, but by hygiene and planning errors. Typical examples are overcrowded, rarely cleaned feeders, permanently damp feed, excessive amounts of fat in hot weather or a feeding place directly above the bird bath. Such conditions favor pathogens and also attract unwanted guests such as rats.
Never leave food in puddles, damp bowls or on heavily soiled surfaces. Just a few hot days are enough for bacteria and fungi to multiply. If birds are noticeably apathetic or fluffed up around the feeding area, it is advisable to stop feeding temporarily and clean all facilities thoroughly.
Another mistake is to start feeding too suddenly. Stop feeding if birds have already become very accustomed to the feeding station and there is little natural food available at the same time. It is better to gradually reduce the amount offered and at the same time promote natural food in the garden - for example by using wild plants, flowering shrubs and structurally rich hedges.
Summer feeding: Does it suit my garden?
Whether summer feeding is suitable for your garden depends on three points: the natural food supply in the area, your willingness to maintain consistent hygiene and your observation goals. In rather sparse residential areas and during frequent hot spells, a well-maintained feeding station is usually a good idea. In richly structured gardens with lots of insects, feeding can be reduced or omitted altogether as long as water and shelter are provided.
For families and bird enthusiasts who want to follow the behavior of the animals in detail, a permanently installed but seasonally adapted feeding station is a good idea. In combination with a sturdily mounted bird feeder with an integrated camera, you can also unobtrusively document which species come, how they feed and how the time of day or weather conditions affect them - a valuable basis for optimizing the food supply and garden structure in a targeted manner.
When positioning the feeding station, make sure there are short escape routes into the bushes, but enough distance from glass surfaces. Marked windows (e.g. with stickers or strings) significantly reduce the risk of collision, especially in the busy summer months.
If you do not have a garden but do have a balcony, you can use smaller, well-protected feeders. The same hygiene requirements apply here, but you should also consider the neighborhood: Slippery food residues on balconies below or heavy soiling on the façade can be avoided by using moderate amounts of food and closed dispenser systems.
Hygiene and care of feeding stations
Cleanliness is the decisive criterion for responsible feeding in summer. Clean feeders, silos and bird baths at least every two to three days during the warm season with hot water and - if necessary - a little mild, unscented washing-up liquid. Remove food residues consistently, especially during periods of rain, and allow all parts to dry completely before refilling them. This will significantly reduce the risk of salmonella and other pathogens.
A safe source of water is at least as important as food in summer: a shallow, non-slip bowl that is rinsed out and refilled daily. Always place the drinking trough separately from the feeding area so that no food remains fall into the water. If you want to keep a closer eye on the activities around the feeder and drinking trough, you can also use a bird feeder with an integrated camera. This allows you to detect conspicuous behavior or sick animals at an early stage and pause feeding if necessary.
Conclusion: How to feed responsibly in summer
First assess the initial situation: how natural is your environment, how many birds and young birds do you see, how often can you clean the feeding station and water? Then make a conscious decision in favor of moderate summer feeding with adapted, protein-rich food - or focus on garden design with wild plants and insect promotion. In both cases, the following applies: Clean Water, plants with plenty of structure and regular observation are the most important steps to ensure that wild birds get through the warm months.