Feeding birds during the summer months is one of the easiest and most enjoyable things you can do with your yard.
Over the years, I’ve found that keeping birds happy in the summer comes down to offering the right food, fresh water, and just an overall happy environment for them to exist in. It’s really not any more complicated than that.
Here are some of my favorite tips to keep birds well fed in your yard all summer long.
Choose the Right Summer Seed
Picking the right seed mix for summer is key if you want to keep birds coming back to your yard.
I like to go with blends that include sunflower seeds, millet, dried fruit, peanuts, or other nuts. These ingredients attract a wide variety of birds and give them the energy they need during the hotter months. A quality seed mix like this one works great all summer long.
I also have a ton of success with this hot and spicy bird food. The birds really seem to love it, while the squirrels can’t stand it.
Suet can also be a great choice, especially for woodpeckers and nuthatches, but summer heat can cause it to melt and spoil quickly. Always look for suet labeled “No Melt” or “No Waste” so it holds up in the sun. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a mess and the birds won’t touch it.
Keep Your Feeders Clean
Dirty bird feeders can spread disease quickly, especially in the summer heat when bacteria grows faster.
Every one to two weeks, once the feeders are empty, I take a bucket of hot, soapy water outside and give them a good scrub. For extra peace of mind, you can also use a diluted bleach solution to kill any lingering pathogens.
After cleaning, I set the feeders on a clean towel in the sun to dry completely before refilling them.
A clean feeder not only helps protect your backyard birds, but it also keeps them coming back all summer long.
Provide Fresh Water Every Day
Birds need fresh water daily for both drinking and bathing, especially during hot summer days.
Place a shallow bird bath or dish somewhere in your yard where birds can easily find it. A shaded spot is ideal, since it helps keep the water cooler and slows down evaporation. I like to add a few stones to the bath so birds have a safe place to perch while they drink.
Just like with your feeders, it’s important to clean your bird bath (and the stones) every one to two weeks. Standing water can attract mosquitoes and lead to algae buildup, both of which can drive birds away.
Clean, cool water is one of the easiest ways to keep birds coming back all summer long.
Put Your Feeders in the Right Spot
It’s important to place your feeders in spots that actually attract birds. Not every location in your yard will offer a safe or inviting place to feed.
I like to hang mine in areas that get a good amount of shade. This helps keep the seed cooler and prevents it from spoiling too quickly in the summer heat.
Use a pole or shepherd’s hook that stands at least five feet off the ground to give birds plenty of space and safety while they feed.
Whenever possible, set your feeders near trees or shrubs. Birds feel much more comfortable when they have nearby branches to perch on or escape to if they sense danger.
Don’t Use Bread of Human Food
Bread, crackers, and other processed foods don’t offer any real nutrition to birds. They can also attract unwanted visitors like raccoons, squirrels, or even rats, so it’s best to avoid them during the summer. The same goes for meat and dairy.
Stick to food that’s meant for birds or things they naturally eat in the wild. Apples, grapes, oranges, and blueberries are some of my favorite fruit options to leave out. I like to chop them into small pieces so the birds can easily eat them or carry them away.
Try More than Bird Seed
Some birds will require more than just bird seed if you want to see them in your yard this summer.
The fruits mentioned earlier are great for attracting orioles and mockingbirds, but you can also try leaving out some of this bird jelly in a specialized feeder.
If you’re hoping to attract hummingbirds, you’ll need to provide nectar. Flowers are a great natural option, but I also like to use a nectar feeder, which brings hummingbirds to my yard every summer.
Attracting a wide assortment of birds to your yard this summer is definitely possible when you mix up the assortment of food that you offer.
Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly
Birds need more than just food and water. They also need shelter and a safe place to hang out.
Planting trees, shrubs, and native plants in your yard is a great way to create a natural environment that birds are drawn to. Native flowers are especially helpful because they provide both protection and extra food sources through seeds and insects.
Avoid using pesticides in your yard and garden as much as possible. Wind can easily carry liquid pesticides onto nearby bird seed, and granular products can mix with the seed birds pick up from the grass or garden beds.
A bird friendly yard is one that offers food, fresh water, and a safe place to land and rest.
With just a little effort and the right setup, your yard can become a favorite summer stop for birds of all kinds.
