In winter, many people wonder if they should put out food for birds. We have with the LBV chairman Dr. Norbert Schäffer spoke about the topic.
As soon as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, many garden or balcony owners also think of our feathered garden dwellers. But is feeding birds actually necessary? dr Norbert Schäffer, chairman of the state association for bird protection in Bavaria, bases his answer to this question on current scientific knowledge: "In recent years there have been heated debates about the pros and cons of bird feeding. After intensive scientific consideration, we at the LBV also come to the conclusion that feeding birds does not harm and therefore has no disadvantage for the animals.” Among other things, due to the intensification of agriculture and the decline in insects, many birds are now even dependent on feeding. With the right birdseed, you can make a meaningful contribution to protecting the wild bird population.
Courage to wild garden
In addition to feeding wild birds, it is also important to ensure that the garden is close to nature. This means, for example, that no chemicals are used. "A garden that is close to nature also requires a bit of courage for disorder and wilderness," says the ornithologist, "leaving seed-bearing plants in winter, too - that not only helps the birds, but also other animals in the garden."
In addition to a wild garden, it also helps the birds if you sow bird-friendly plants that provide food for the animals. That's why we developed our Plantura Beneficial Magnet - a seed mixture of annual and perennial plants that provide garden birds and other beneficial insects with a wide range of food.
Myths about bird feeding
By the way, it is mainly the classic garden birds such as tits, robins or chaffinches that benefit from bird feeding. Endangered species or migratory birds generally do not benefit from this additional source of food. Even if our garden birds are generally doing well, concrete scientific findings are often still insufficient, as Dr. Norbert Schäffer explains: “Weknow more about field birds than about our birds in the garden.” This is also one of the reasons why there are still so many myths about bird feeding. A much-discussed question, for example, is whether birds should only be fed in winter or also throughout the year.
Feed only in winter?
"We at the LBV consider feeding throughout the year to be justifiable. There is no scientifically verifiable reason to feed birds in winter and not in summer,” says the trained ornithologist. Studies dealing with the food requirements of garden birds show that the animals actually have an increased food requirement in late winter and then again in June (when they have young birds).
"Feeding the birds gives people access to nature and the world of birds," says Schäffer. In general, feeding birds is considered to be the most common form of interaction between humans and wild animals. Many conservationists hope that this contact will lead to a deeper interest in nature and wildlife.
The right bird seed
If birds are fed in your own garden, there are a few points to keep in mind. Kitchen waste should never be used as food. Moldy or swelling foods such as grains of rice or coconut flakes are also unsuitable and even dangerous for the birds. What is more suitable? "Classic birdseed such as peanuts and fatty foods are ideal in winter," advises Dr. Norbert Schäffer, "Dried insects can also be offered in the summer." The right location for a feeding station is also of great relevance.
Our Plantura fat balls made from insect fat are also suitable for a rich winter feeding. The dumplings are enriched with valuable seeds, berries and nuts and provide a rich food source for a wide range of garden birds. They also do without plastic nets, which create waste and in which the birds can get tangled and injure themselves.
Plantura fat ballsSustainable fat balls without a net,
species-appropriate wild bird food with insect fat for year-round feedingBuy here!