If you’re a wildlife lover, then bird feeders are your best friend for bringing the  animals into your garden, because even the most common of birds need a helping hand. It’s important to look out for your local feathered friends and provide healthy options, adhering to the bird feeder guide provided by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). When birds are moulting in the spring and summer months, they require high-protein foods, but it's often hard to know where to begin.

Feeders can come in all shapes and sizes, but they recommend using nut feeders made of rigid steel mesh as the only safe method for feeding nuts to wild birds, while seed feeders are best designed for supplying seed mixes. Bird feeders can be put in a whole range of places, but it's always best to aim for somewhere that is quiet, where birds won’t be disturbed; also make sure the location is far enough away from bushes where predators may lie, and sheltered from any harsh winds. The RSPB advises that wherever your feeder is, you should be able to see it from indoors; that way, you can get the most enjoyment out of it.

One food item you may have never considered feeding birds before is fresh fruit, namely slices of apple, which could attract more birds to your bird feeder. 

There can, however, be risks with feeding birds a slice of apple, as noted by agriculture and horticulture specialist farm Beaky Bites.

Beaky Bites stated: “Although apples are safe and beneficial for birds overall, there are some risks to consider. The seeds contain cyanide, a toxic substance that can harm birds if eaten.”

They go on to suggest to wildlife enthusiasts to “always remove the seeds” before offering an apple slice to birds, and not to feed them old or rotten apples. According to the farm, gone-off fruit like this can harbour harmful bacteria and fungi.

Additional fruits you could feed to the birds include pears and vine fruits, such as raisins. It’s important to note, as the RSPB suggests, that these shouldn’t be mouldy or salty and that dried fruits can be toxic to dogs – so be mindful of where these are being placed.

When it comes to feeding birds, you need to be careful with peanuts, fat and bread, which could become choking hazards. 

Certain food types can attract different breeds of birds, so if you’re looking to bring in a particular animal, you need to consider using alternative methods.

For example, Blue Tits and Great Tits use a feeder and enjoy eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts, while Finches tend to love sunflower hearts.

The RSPB states: “Be sure to look for good-quality bird food – those that don’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas and beans, red dari and whole wheat that birds rarely eat.”