Feed the birds, Feed the Soul:
Rob Wilton’s Guide to Feeding and Enjoying Garden birds.
Rob Wilton has been part of the marketing team at Kowa for many years, but his love of nature began much earlier. From a young age he's been fascinated by birds, spending countless hours watching and feeding the wild visitors to his urban garden in the UK. We caught up with Rob to find out why feeding garden birds is not just a hobby, but a rewarding commitment - especially through the winter months - and how you can make the most of your own backyard or outdoor space.
Why Feeding Garden Birds Matters - for Them and for Us
As Rob explains, winter is the toughest time of year for garden birds. Natural food sources decline just as birds need as much energy as possible to stay warm through frosty nights. Providing a reliable supply of high-energy food can be the difference between life and death for many small species.
But the benefits aren't one-sided. “Watching the birds in the garden brings me a huge sense of joy,” Rob tells us. Studies now show that regularly seeing wildlife can help reduce stress and boost mental wellbeing - something most of us could do with in the darker months.
Commitment Counts
Rob’s top piece of advice? If you decide to feed birds in winter, stick with it. “Birds burn precious energy travelling to a feeding spot,” he says, “and once they learn your garden is a food source, they’ll return regularly. If the food suddenly disappears, they’re forced to use more energy searching elsewhere - sometimes with fatal consequences.”
Offer Variety – Attract Variety
To attract a wider range of garden birds, Rob recommends offering several different types of food:
Food Type Ideal for…
Mixed seeds Sparrows, tits, finches
Sunflower hearts Tits, finches
Fat balls/suet Long-tailed tits, starlings, great tits
Peanuts Blue tits, great tits, nuthatches, Woodpeckers
Mealworms Robins, blackbirds, wrens
Different birds also prefer different feeding styles. Finches and tits are agile and love hanging feeders with perches, whereas birds like robins and dunnocks prefer flat tables or ground feeders. “Providing a mix is the key,” Rob says, “so all birds can feed comfortably according to their natural behaviour.”
Keep It Clean
Regularly washing feeders and bird tables is essential to prevent the spread of disease. Remove old food, scrub with hot water (or a wildlife-safe disinfectant), and dry thoroughly before refilling. Clean water baths too – birds drink and bathe all year round.
Safety First – For Your Visitors
Position feeders off the ground and away where cats may hide and pounce. Birds feel safer if they have quick access to cover like trees or bushes, so placing feeders near natural shelter encourages more to visit.
If you can, provide a water source such as a pond. It not only supplies fresh drinking water but also attracts frogs, insects, and other wildlife. Rob advises having gently sloping sides or escape routes so creatures can get out if they fall in. A simple bird bath is a great alternative - just keep it topped up and ice-free in winter.
Enhance the View
Winter feeding is also a brilliant chance to observe birds more closely. Rob uses binoculars to enjoy mixed flocks of finches, tits and the occasional surprise visitor - recent highlights include a treecreeper, bullfinches, and tiny goldcrests. For photography enthusiasts, the garden makes the perfect practice ground. Rob often sets up a natural-looking perch near the feeder for digiscoping sessions, allowing him to capture shots right from the back door.
Common UK Garden Birds You Might See
• Robin
• Blue tit
• Great tit
• House sparrow
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch
• Blackbird
• Dunnock
• Chaffinch
• Long-tailed tit
• Woodpigeon
In Summary
Feeding garden birds is a rewarding act of kindness that supports wildlife when they need it most, bringing colour, movement, and happiness to even the greyest winter’s day. As Rob’s experience shows, with a little commitment and the right set-up, anyone can transform their garden into a thriving haven for birds – and in return enjoy mental health benefits and unforgettable moments with nature just outside the window.
Perfect optics to observe garden birds:
