Feeding birds in the middle of nowhere

[Osbourne One-Nil]

Hello.

I live deep in the middle of Cumbria, and feed the birds constantly throughout the winter as it's pretty cold and bleak up here. However, this year, for the first time, I'm feeding them in the summer too. Is there any point in doing this? The birds seem to come and visit, but would I actually be better off leaving them to fend for themselves during the warmer months? It's hardly as if their natural food sources are under threat around here. I like seeing them at my feeders as I work from home, but I don't want to be doing them a disservice.

Also, and this might be the most stupid question ever asked here, but I've never bothered putting any water out simply because there's a stream just over the garden wall. I assume this means I'd be wasting my time or do the birds prefer water right next to the food?

Sorry if these questions seem stupid, but I just want to do the right thing.

[Emma]

They are not stupid questions at all :)

Firstly, the RSPB and BTO both recommend feeding garden birds all year round. This time of year parent birds are very busy with nestlings and I am sure they appreciate the extra calories you provide for them - it's a quick easy meal for them in between searching for natural food for their youngsters.

You can also look at it another way - some years, their natural food source can be very low and scarce, so the adult birds waste much needed energy searching for natural food for their babies and themselves.

High-energy food, such as nuts and sunflower seeds (or hearts) are invaluable during the winter - but they are also need during spring and summer too, so keep feeding your birds! If they didn't want or need it they wouldn't take it!

And as for the water, yes they have a natural water source behind your garden, but you can still provide for them in the garden too - it's great to watch birds bathing in the garden. You don't even need to buy a bird bath - you could just put a shallow dish down (like a large plant pot saucer, for example).

You certainly aren't doing a disservice to your birds - you're doing the complete opposite!

[Osbourne One-Nil]

Thanks for that...I'll carry on then. Nice website by the way...looks like you're not a million miles from me and are probably a fellow Lookaround sufferer.

[optrex]

Hi Oon, nice to see some other nw users spreading their wings ;)