Nurturing Nature Responsibly

Published: 3/4/2025

Caring for local birdlife is a wonderful way to connect with nature and enhance our neighbourhoods. By being mindful in our approach to bird feeding, we can ensure this doesn’t unintentionally attract unwelcome visitors. In areas where we are already working hard to improve our communities through our Alleyway Clearance Strategy, thoughtful bird feeding practices become even more important.

Attracting unwelcome visitors

While our intention is to help birds, certain aspects of how we feed them can inadvertently draw the attention of vermin:

• Preventing spills: Feeders without trays can scatter seed onto the ground, creating an easy food source for pests. Choosing feeders with trays helps keep the feeding area tidy.
• Feeder placement: Low or wide platform feeders can be easily accessed by unwanted animals. Positioning feeders higher up and away from climbing aids like trees, fences, and sheds can make them less accessible.
• Offering appropriate food: While it might seem helpful to put out leftover food, birds are unlikely to eat it. But it can become a food source for vermin.

Simple steps for responsible bird feeding:

By adopting a few easy practices we can continue to support our feathered friends while minimising the attraction of unwanted visitors:

• Dispose of food waste properly: Ensure all food scraps are placed in designated bins, rather than leaving them out in the garden.
• Select and position feeders carefully: Choose feeders designed to deter vermin, such as those with higher platforms and smaller openings. Place them in open spaces, away from potential climbing routes.
• Maintain cleanliness: Regularly clean your bird feeders and the ground around them to remove any spilled seed.

By following these simple guidelines, we can continue to support our wildlife in our communities while ensuring a clean and healthy neighbourhood for all.