[JulieCfromLeics]

What food (in small amounts) is it best to feed wild water birds with in the Winter?

eg. Swans, ducks...

[Jim Walker]

My first thoughts Julie are grain and bird seed.

I know a lot of people bung out bread for the birds, particularly ducks, but it's not that good for them, especially white bread.

The advice I've seen on t'internerd is to go for a grain based food. Suppliers like Vane Farm and the RSPB offer food, CJ WIldBird Foods offer a wildlfowl specific food. Have a shop about for food as costs vary from supplier to supplier.

[JulieCfromLeics]

"My first thoughts Julie are grain and bird seed."

Definitely. What sort though? Even official signs in local parks are really vague!!!

Information signs will stipulate not to feed bread and use bird feed, but there is very little information as to what that actually is.

Is it a case researching official bird feed ingredients to put together something similar???

Probably.

I'm sure a lot of people won't either bother or understand and will be sneakily using bread...
There's also a cost issue for many. Official products can be expensive even though the money is going to a good cause.

Can anyone list sensible types of grain /seed which could be used?

[Seth Burgess]

Hi Julie. You might find this advice on the RSPB's website useful:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbi ... index.aspx

Seth Burgess
Production Editor
BBC Wildlife Magazine
www.discoverwildlife.com