A Sea Of Mealworms

As you know I like to use this blog to tell you stuff about how to help the birds in your garden. I've decided to do one of those entries today.

The breeding season is in full tilt now, and a lot of birds will be rearing young. They will using the huge abundance of insects to feed their chicks so you may be tempted to leave your feeders empty. The simple answer is, don't. The adult birds will be hungry this time of year, as all their energies will be taken up making countless trips to the nest to feed those hungry mouths.

I've had a blackbird collecting worms and caddis fly larvae from my lawn for days now, he's been a joy to watch.

Remember too, that all this parenting is thirsty work. Birds can't pop to the pub for a pint of cider, so help them out. Soak some dried mealworms, so they can get a drop of moisture with all that valuable fat and protein they provide. You can do the same with raisins or sultanas. Soak them in a beaker of water over night to rehydrate them, and put them in a cool, shady spot, so they don't dry out too quickly. And of course, if you can, get a bird bath. An upturned bin lid will work as well as anything you can buy in the shops.

Try to avoid putting anything to big out for the birds at this time of the year. Whole peanuts can choke young chicks, best switch to granules, or stick the whole ones through a food processor if you don't have a meshed feeder.

One final thing, keep an eye in your gardens. It's migrant time again, and you never know what may turn up. You may get visitors like Chiffchaffs or Whitethroats if you are lucky.