Now that spring is in full swing, gardeners should save up any old tins of sweetcorn as it can be used to really help out your local wildlife.
There’s nothing quite like the sound of birds chirping outside your window during spring, and there’s a straightforward way to draw them into your garden that won’t cost you anything. Feeding birds is a thoughtful gesture in spring, as they require significantly more food for their young during this period, with natural resources such as seeds and insects only beginning to reappear after winter.
Birds increasingly depend on birdfeeders at this time, as they’re reluctant to stray too far from their nests for fear of predators like foxes, cats or prey birds such as magpies targeting their chicks. Constantly topping up a birdfeeder can prove costly, but Clare from Really Wild Bird Food has revealed that one food birds absolutely adore is sweetcorn.
Clare said: “Many raw vegetables are indigestible to birds, but peas and sweetcorn are fine, and so is leftover mashed potato!”
Birds typically struggle with vegetable scraps, as these are often too tough for them to consume, and there’s a genuine risk they could choke on foods like carrots.
Sweetcorn makes an excellent option for birds, being soft and packed with carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins that deliver quick energy bursts.
It’s also high in water content, helping to keep birds hydrated, which becomes increasingly vital as we move into May and temperatures rise.
Sweetcorn offers an affordable and practical means of feeding various bird species in your garden, particularly when scattered across a lawn or bird table.
Robins, blackbirds, sparrows and even starlings are among the birds that will be particularly drawn to sweetcorn, so expect plenty of feathered visitors to your garden.
Peas and mashed potatoes are also suitable options for feeding birds, though it’s vital to ensure that nothing has been seasoned with salt.
Unlike humans, birds are unable to process salt properly, and even the tiniest amount can prove dangerous or even deadly.
Dairy products are equally off the menu, so avoid offering buttered corn, peas or mash, as these can cause serious harm to their digestive systems.
Feeding birds with kitchen leftovers is a budget-friendly way to support your local wildlife, but always ensure the food is plain, unseasoned and soft enough for them to eat safely.
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