logo
Starlings will thrive if you add these four things to bird feeders in April

Starlings will thrive if you add these four things to bird feeders in April

Daily Mirror22-04-2025

As starling numbers dwindle across the UK, bird-lovers have been urged to leave four simple foods out in order to entice them back into their gardens year after year
As starling numbers fall to record lows in the UK, gardeners have been urged to feed them four specific food scraps to help them thrive. According to the 2025 RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, fewer starlings than ever have been spotted by UK bird watchers.
Almost 600,000 survey participants across the UK noted which birds were spotted most frequently across the country. In a troubling report, starlings have now fallen out of the top three most commonly spotted birds. One of Britain's most majestic creatures, starlings are easily distinguished by their dark, incandescent plumage and range of tonal bird calls. However, if certain steps aren't taken to protect them, their numbers could plummet.

Across the UK, bird numbers have dropped significantly over the past few decades. In fact, there has been a staggering 16% drop across all bird species in the UK since 1970, according to government data.
One of the most notable reasons for this is the loss in natural habitat due to farming practices. This includes the overuse of pesticides, which causes harm to birds and which ravages their natural food supply.
A great way to counteract this is by leaving them out food in bird feeders or on bird tables. Birds generally enjoy food with a high fat content, such as suet, nuts and seeds.
However, certain species, like starlings, take a particular liking to specific food scraps. A bird enthusiast has revealed that if you're looking to attract more starlings to your garden, then you should take care to feed them mealworms, currents, sultanas and raisins.

In a RSPB forum, one person wondered how to encourage starlings to keep returning to their vicinity. They wrote: 'I see [starlings] at my garden feeder and would like to encourage them to come back next year. any tips on what I can do to encourage them back, what do they like to eat etc?'
A commenter quickly replied: 'They…like dried mealworms and currents / raisins / sultanas.' Although, they added that these foods are 'best served in a suspended dish with a cover so that they are not taken by pigeons.'

Mealworms are starling favourites as they contain high amounts of protein. This is incredibly important, especially during breeding season, as it encourages healthy growth.
Meanwhile, dried fruits like sultanas and currents also make important food sources, as they provide much-needed vitamins and minerals. Plus, they have a naturally sweet taste, which starlings love.
The commenter also suggested that starling fans could make 'raw bird pastry', which they described as the 'cheapest form of bird food available'. This consists of combining two parts flour with one part lard.
Starlings enjoy this mix as it contains a high fat content, which sustains them through the unpredictable springtime weather. The goopy texture of raw pastry is also appealing to them.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Colchester bridge repairs resume after being halted by birds
Colchester bridge repairs resume after being halted by birds

BBC News

time14 hours ago

  • BBC News

Colchester bridge repairs resume after being halted by birds

Repairs to a bridge that closed to the public more than 500 days ago have resumed after the discovery of bird nests halted to repair the bridge - which closed in December 2023 when part of the Middle Mill weir at Castle Park in Colchester fell into the River Colne - started last month but was suspended on the same City Council, which is responsible for the weir itself, said work had restarted "with close attention being paid to the wildlife throughout".One moorhen nest was still active and remained undisturbed, and measures were being taken to prevent new nests from forming, the authority said. A spokesperson said: "We'll continue to monitor the site closely to ensure that wildlife is protected while essential repairs are carried out."They added "likely nesting activity from a wren" had also been discovered under the bridge - an area currently unaffected by the to the RSPB, moorhens and wrens are protected under UK wildlife law and it is illegal to move the nest of any wild bird while it is in was able to resume after a on-site meeting last week.A diversion of about 1km (0.6 mile) has been in place while the footbridge, owned by Essex County Council, has been closed. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

June warning to gardeners cutting their hedge this month
June warning to gardeners cutting their hedge this month

Daily Record

timea day ago

  • Daily Record

June warning to gardeners cutting their hedge this month

Trimming the hedges is a job that comes with risks, warn experts If you're desperate to get the garden in shape this summer, there's one job you may want to hang off setting about just yet. Cutting your hedge this month could land you in legal bother and see you fined or even facing jail time. That's because hedge cutting is covered by environmental law. And if you cut your hedge and damage or destroy a bird's nest in the process you can end up being prosecuted which can lead to an 'unlimited' fine. ‌ As the law stands, farm hedgerows cannot legally be cut between the dates of April 1 and August 31. ‌ In extreme circumstances, farmers can plead their case to cut hedges if they have a reason but it would require them to be granted a licence allowing them to do this. And while it is actually legal to cut a domestic hedge, gardeners would have to be extra careful there are no birds nest in it before getting the hedge trimmer out. If you do damage or destroy a hedge while cutting, intentionally or unintentionally, you are breaking the law, reports the Express. That's because many birds are still nesting and feeding their young in June. Experts at Husqvana explained: 'Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird's nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed." ‌ The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) backs this up. It says that a person is breaking that law if they intentionally damage a bird's nest while it's being used or built, and this applies to trimming hedges, saying: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it". Breaking this law could land you an unlimited fine and even six months in prison. ‌ The RSPB adds: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking." They said: "Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England / Natural Resources Wales / Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question. ‌ "Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. "The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. "In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs). ‌ "Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. "Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both."

June warning that gardeners who cut hedges could 'face jail and unlimited fine'
June warning that gardeners who cut hedges could 'face jail and unlimited fine'

Daily Mirror

time2 days ago

  • Daily Mirror

June warning that gardeners who cut hedges could 'face jail and unlimited fine'

If gardeners are cutting hedges and a bird's nest is damaged or destroyed - intentionally or otherwise - then they're breaking the law and could face a fine or jail time Green-fingered Brits are being warned against falling foul of the law this June as they spruce up their gardens, with warnings that illegal hedge trimming could land them in hot water – including potential jail time and an 'unlimited fine'. With the sun making a welcome return recently, albeit punctuated by showers, gardening enthusiasts have been eagerly tending to their outdoor spaces, keen to ensure their greenery is looking shipshape. However, those reaching for the shears to neaten up their hedges might not just be impacting the plant's health during its blooming period but could also inadvertently breach environmental regulations. ‌ Strict rules prohibit the cutting of farm hedgerows from April 1 to August 31, barring exceptional circumstances which would necessitate a licence. ‌ While domestic garden hedges can be legally trimmed during this period, any harm caused to bird nests, whether deliberate or accidental, constitutes a legal infringement. With many birds still in the midst of nesting and rearing chicks in June, specialists at Husqvana highlight the legal implications: "Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. "That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird's nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed." This stance is backed up by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, reports the Express. According to the RSPB, anyone who intentionally damages a bird's nest while it is in use or under construction is in breach of the law, and this includes trimming hedges. The charity states: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it." Violating this law may lead to an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. The RSPB adds: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking." ‌ Wildlife specialists Arbtech provide insight into how the legislation is enforced in practice. They state: "Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England/Natural Resources Wales/Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question. "Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. ‌ "The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. "In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs). "Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. "Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store