Spring and summer are some of the busiest and most important times of year for our garden birds
Many birds are now nesting and feeding hungry chicks, which means they need safe places to rest, fresh water and reliable food sources every single day. Small changes in our gardens can make a huge difference — from keeping feeders clean to offering live food during nesting season.
Here are a few simple dos and don’ts to help your garden birds thrive this spring 
DO:
-
- Put out fresh clean water daily
-
- Offer live food like mealworms during nesting season
-
- Clean feeders regularly to stop disease spreading
-
- Provide shelter with shrubs, hedges and nesting areas
-
- Keep feeders topped up during busy nesting season
-
- Feed little and often in warm weather
DON’T:
• Leave mouldy or wet food out
• Use dirty feeders or bird baths
• Disturb nesting birds or hedges
• Give salty or processed human foods
• Let food pile up on the ground
• Forget birds need extra protein in spring
Benefits of live mealworms
High in protein
“Live mealworms are packed with protein and nutrients that help support healthy feather growth, energy levels and chick development.”
Natural moisture source
“Unlike dry seeds, live mealworms also contain moisture, which is especially important for young chicks during warm weather.”
Easier for chicks to eat
“Parent birds prefer soft foods for their chicks because hard seeds and large food pieces can be difficult for young birds to digest.”
Encourages natural feeding behaviour
“Live food encourages birds to forage naturally and can attract a wider variety of species to your garden.”
Birds that LOVE mealworms
Robins
Blackbirds
Blue tits
Great tits
Wrens
Starlings
Dunnocks
Where to place live mealworms
Good placement tips:
Near shrubs or bushes Somewhere birds can quickly escape to In a shallow dish or feeder tray Quiet area away from pets
Best time to feed
Early morning and late afternoon are often the busiest feeding times for parent birds.
Helpful caution
Only offer small amounts at a time during hot weather to keep mealworms fresh and active.
Encourages natural feeding behaviour
“Live food encourages birds to forage naturally and can attract a wider variety of species to your garden.”
Providing even a small amount of live food can help support struggling parent birds during one of the busiest times of the year
Shop Live Mealworms