Winter is the toughest time of year for garden birds. With short daylight hours and freezing temperatures, small songbirds like blue tits and robins can lose up to 10% of their body weight overnight just staying warm.
By offering nourishing, high-calorie food in your garden, you can give your local wildlife the vital support they need to thrive through to spring. Here is your friendly guide to choosing the best feeds from Gladwells Pet & Country Stores and creating a cosy garden haven.
What to Feed: Simple Guide to Winter Mixes
Different garden birds have different preferences and feeding styles. Gladwells carries a wide selection of Copdock Mill feeds to ensure every visiting species gets the nutrition it needs:
| Favorite Birds | What They Love | Best Gladwells Product | How to Serve |
| Goldfinches, Blue Tits & Finches | High-oil seeds and suet pellets for rapid energy replenishment | Copdock Mill Hi-Energy Garden Feast | Hanging seed feeders or mesh tubular feeders |
| Robins, Blackbirds & Thrushes | Dried fruits, berries, and soft grains | Copdock Mill Berry Feast | Open bird tables, ground feeder trays, or platform trays |
| Dunnocks, Sparrows & Songbirds | Easily digestible seeds with zero husk waste | Copdock Mill No Mess, No Grow | Hanging feeders, ground trays, or patio stations |
| Woodpeckers & Nuthatches | High-fat, protein-dense peanuts | Copdock Mill Peanut Kernels | Stainless steel mesh peanut feeders (helps to prevent choking) |
| Long-tailed Tits & Wrens | Pure fats and protein for icy mornings | Copdock Mill Suet Balls, Suet Cakes & Dried Mealworms | Suet cages, hanging fat holders, or scattered on tables |
4 Easy Ways to Care for Garden Birds This Winter
- Feed Regularly Every Day: Put out fresh food first thing in the morning to help birds replace energy lost overnight, and replenish again in the early afternoon before dusk.
- Keep Water Ice-Free: Natural water sources freeze quickly during winter snaps. Keep a shallow dish or bird bath filled with clean water, and check daily to gently break away ice.
- Keep Feeders Clean and Dry: Wet seed can spoil quickly. Put out 1–2 days’ worth of feed at a time, and clean feeders regularly with bird-safe disinfectant to keep your feathered visitors healthy.
- Place Feeders Near Cover: Position bird tables or hanging feeders within a few meters of bushes or hedges so shy birds can easily dart into cover if shelter is needed.
