What food to leave out?

Question

Hi folks 
 I know I'm a regular poster on this fab forum, but I'm still quite new to this bird watching and have so much to learn. 
 During the cold weather I left most things out for the birds and was rewarded by loads of visitors- my favourite being the LTTs. 
 Now it's warmer I seem to get less visitors and the peanuts and fat/suet don't seem to be going. 
 The Blackbirds are regular visitors and I am preparing for some BB fledglings soon. 
 What is the best thing to leave out for them? Mealworms? I'm not sure what these are or where to get them. 
 Any advice gratefully received. 
 Thanks 
 Pipit x

Trochilus · Answer

Hi Pipit 
 You would expect to see fewer birds this time of the year, as most of them are still in their breeding territories, and so you will not get the large flocks travelling through gardens from one feeding site to another. Having said that, with the starlings already fledged, it is possible to get the noisy rabble of the starling 'teenagers' with their parents visiting en masse, and you can be lucky to come across a family party of tits any time from now on. Another month to six weeks, and you start to see finch flocks again. 
 Many people find that fat, suet and peanuts are taken less than in the winter months. This is largely because this time of the year birds instinctively search out foods high in protein (insects) instead. 
 Your blackbirds should be OK as long as the ground stays moist enough to give them access to earthworms. Later in the summer when the ground is drier, the worms go deeper in the soil, beyond reach of the birds. This is the time when they most appreciate food put out by us. Mealworms (beetle larvae) both live and dried, are a good food to offer. The dried ones are best soaked to rehydrate them before putting them out to make sure the youngsters get adequate liquid in their diet. Other suitable foods would be fruit such as apples, pears and plums, as well as sultanas and raisins, but again, soak these overnight rather than give them dry.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks folks 
 Really helpful answers. I will do ask you suggest. 
 Lots of visitors to look forward to too. 
 Thanks :))) 
 Pipit x

redrobin · Answer

I am finding that the mealworm plus food which includes raisins and suet pellets is going so fast that I may soon be bankrupt! It is used by blackbirds, starlings, sparrows and magpies. I also buy cylinders of suet which the tits of all sorts love as well as starlings and blackbirds. I am finding that all food is very much in demand in my garden as we have had young starlings and sparrows and our blue-tit nestlings have just fledged. Since feeding over the hard winter, we have had a pair of greenfinches visiting several times every day. I use a Wild Life Trust recommended supplier of food, at www.vinehousefarm.co.uk They also supply dried and live meal worms. Best of luck with your blackbird fledglings.