As new findings reveal that bird feeding in UK gardens drops in the spring and summer, Johnston
& Jeff urge bird lovers and gardeners across the UK to maintain responsible, well-managed
supplementary feeding year-round, especially during the warmer months.
New research from UK Pet Food highlights a key issue: feeding declines during the very months
birds need the most support.
- 60% of people feed birds most in winter
- This drops to 52% in spring and 50% in summer
- Nearly half of UK households (46%) don’t feed birds at all
This seasonal drop-off risks leaving birds without consistent supplementary nutrition during
breeding and nesting periods.
Garden birds face increasing pressures from habitat loss, changing weather patterns, and reduced
natural food availability. While winter feeding is widely recognised as essential, the warmer
months are equally demanding for birds.
Spring and summer are periods of intense activity. Birds are:
- Building nests
- Raising young
- Undergoing moulting cycles
- All of these require significant energy and reliable food sources.
As leading ornithologist Dr. Mya-Rose Craig, explains:
“Spring and summer are also really hard work for our birds… they need endless amounts of energy during breeding season as they build their nest and feed their young.”
Supplementary feeding, when done correctly, plays a valuable role in supporting birds through
these critical stages.
The Importance of Quality Feed and Good Feeding Practices
There has been discussion about disease transmission linked to bird feeding. However, evidence
from both industry practice and field observation consistently shows that:
- Birds naturally congregate in shared environments (including water sources)
- Hygiene and environmental conditions are the primary drivers of disease risk—not feeding
itself
As Dr Mya-Rose Craig also emphasises:
“The most important thing when feeding birds is to make sure that your feeders are clean…washing your feeders regularly and moving them around your garden will make it safer and healthier.”
This reinforces a simple point: the focus should be on how feeding is done, not whether it should
happen at all.
Not all bird food is equal. Lower-quality mixes often contain filler grains that many birds discard.
This uneaten material can accumulate, particularly on flat surfaces, where moisture encourages
bacterial and fungal growth.
In contrast, high-quality, nutritionally balanced feeds:
- Are more readily consumed
- Reduce waste
- Help maintain cleaner feeding environments
This is why we continue to champion premium formulations as part of responsible wildlife care.
Supporting Industry Guidance
We support the position outlined by UK Pet Food, which promotes year-round feeding alongside
good hygiene practices.
Their guidance includes:
- Cleaning feeders regularly (ideally weekly)
- Refreshing water daily
- Using multiple feeders to reduce crowding
- Avoiding build-up of uneaten food
- Keeping feed dry and fresh
They also highlight the importance of feeding a range of foods, including seeds, fats, and insect-
based options, to support birds through breeding season.
A Balanced, Responsible Approach
The conversation around bird feeding should not be about removing support—it should be about
raising standards. By combining high-quality nutrition, good hygiene practices and thoughtful
feeding habits, we can continue to support garden birds safely and effectively.
At Johnston & Jeff, we remain committed to:
- Supporting biodiversity in gardens and green spaces
- Providing high-quality wild bird nutrition
- Helping educate consumers on best practice feeding
We believe that responsible feeding throughout the calendar is an important part of modern
wildlife stewardship.
