Best Food for Garden Birds in Summer: What to Put Out and Why

A lot of garden bird enthusiasts put their feeders away in spring once winter is over — but birds benefit from supplementary feeding year-round, including through summer. That said, what you put out does need to change with the seasons. Here's your guide to summer bird feeding in the UK.

Do Garden Birds Still Need Feeding in Summer?

Yes. While natural food sources are more abundant in summer, supplementary feeding still helps — particularly in dry spells when earthworms retreat deeper into the soil, during the post-breeding moult when birds need extra energy, and for parent birds making dozens of foraging trips per day to feed nestlings.

Garden birds face increasing pressure from habitat loss, so your garden feeder can genuinely make a difference to local population health.

What to Feed in Summer

Sunflower hearts remain the gold-standard year-round food. No husks means no mess on the ground and no risk to nestlings from sharp casings.

Mealworms (dried or live) are arguably the most valuable summer food. They're packed with protein — exactly what parent birds need when rearing chicks. Robins in particular become remarkably tame when they discover a reliable mealworm supply. Live mealworms are more nutritious than dried but require refrigeration.

Suet pellets can be offered year-round but are especially useful during the post-breeding moult (July–August) when birds need high-fat foods to grow new feathers.

Softbill mix — blends containing berries, raisins and soft pellets attract blackbirds, thrushes and starlings that don't commonly use seed feeders.

What to Avoid in Nesting Season (April–July)

When birds are feeding chicks, certain foods carry risks:

• Whole peanuts — adult birds can feed whole nuts to nestlings, which can cause choking. Use a mesh peanut feeder so birds can only take small pieces
• Fat balls in nets — remove the nets before putting them out. Birds' feet, legs and beaks can become fatally tangled
• Large pieces of bread or hard foods — limit these generally, but especially in nesting season
• Desiccated coconut — can swell in a bird's stomach

Water in Summer

A shallow bird bath is arguably more valuable in summer than food. Birds need water for drinking and bathing (which keeps feathers in condition for flight and temperature regulation). Refresh it daily — algae and bacteria build up quickly in warm weather. Place it in a slightly open spot so cats can't ambush bathing birds.

Feeder Hygiene in Warmer Weather

Warm, moist conditions accelerate mould growth in feeders. Clean all feeders at least every two weeks with a weak disinfectant solution (or specific bird feeder cleaner), rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before refilling. Remove any wet or clumped seed immediately.

Browse our full wild bird food range at UK9 Petcare including mealworms, sunflower hearts, suet pellets and mixed seed.