BUSY NESTING

During the birds’ breeding season, protein and energy-rich foods for both the busy parents and the growing young is essential. CJ Wildlife explains why

THE EARLY SIGNS of spring are in the air and across the country birds are preparing their nests and starting to raise new families. As egg layers, birds need a safe and sheltered place where they can both lay their eggs and incubate them, until they’re ready to hatch.

Birds are some of nature’s greatest architects. From the tiny wren to the mighty golden eagle, species large and small build nests in which to raise their young – and each has its own unique spin on the construction to have the best chance of raising its chicks to adulthood.

With natural habitats such as trees and hedgerows being lost to development every year though, nest boxes are becoming massively important to many species’ survival. Providing the perfect combination of safety and shelter, your local birds will find a garden nest box too good an opportunity to turn down.

After laying their eggs and incubating them until hatching, the majority of birds will care for their chicks until they’re ready to leave the nest. So not only do adult birds have to find food for themselves, but they also have to exert extra energy doing the food run for their chicks as well. Providing enough food to satisfy a brood of growing chicks can be a very intensive process – some species, such as blue tits, are thought to feed their young every 5-10 minutes throughout the day.

You can give your birds a massive helping hand with a regular supply of food. Garden feeders can make a real difference at this time of year, and with sunflower seeds, kibbled peanuts and peanut cakes all high in energy, there’s no lack of choice.

One of the most important options you can provide for birds, however, is live foods. Soft-bodied invertebrates such as worms are an important part of the diet of many British birds. Mealworms, waxworms and earthworms are all incredibly rich in vital protein, making them ideal for birds that are raising young chicks. And, if the prospect of handling live worms is not for you, then there’s also a range of dried mealworms, which provide all the same benefits as live food.