With experts predicting that this winter will see temperatures below average and the opposite of last year’s mild weather, the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association has issued some timely advice on feeding wild birds. 

The PFMA says: "Winter brings hardships from freezing weather and floods to high winds. As a result, birds find it tougher to find natural supplies of food such as seeds, fruits and insects. Supplementary food at dawn and dusk that is high in fat will provide a welcome source of energy to help them survive the frosty days and nights."

It urges all retailers to pass on the following advice to its customers, and at the same time encourage sales of wild bird food...

TOP TIPS FOR WINTER FEEDING

• Provide water all year round, which is vital for drinking but also important for washing feathers so they can fly easily
• Fat/suet balls and other fat-based food bars are an excellent winter food loved by blue tits and the tit family in general
• Peanuts are rich in oils and a popular choice for tits, finches, sparrows, nuthatches, woodpeckers and siskins
• Crushed or grated nuts attract robins, dunnocks and wrens
• Black sunflower seeds or sunflower hearts are an excellent year-round food and can be more popular than peanuts for some birds

WINTER WATCH OUTS

• Never give birds milk as they cannot digest it
• Salted or dry roasted peanuts should not be used
• Whole peanuts should always be fed from a suitable feeder
• Always remove the mesh bag before putting the fat ball out as the mesh can trap birds
• Regularly clean your bird table and watch out for mould, which can cause respiratory infections
• Stale food provides a breeding ground for salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning
• Large quantities of food scattered on the ground may attract rats and mice

Of course all birds are different and it’s important to provide a varied menu. By supplementing natural supplies at these tougher times of year, the birds will keep coming back. 

The PFMA represents 90% of pet food manufacturers and has a dedicated Bird Group.  At pfma.org.uk, these bird food experts have created a section with tips on how to feed, what to feed and seasonality plus hygiene, what not to feed and how to deal with predators. The organsation also has a link to all the manufacturer websites.

For the long range weather predictions click here