Wild Bird Seed Mix

How

Different plants run out of seed at different times in the winter season so it’s good to have variety and extend the life of the winter cover.

The ideal time to establish wild bird seed areas is in April or May, by preparing a seedbed and drilling the crop. A cereal component is important, as well as an oil-rich crop such as kale, millet, linseed or quinoa, but crops such as mustard, forage rape and millet can also be included. A mix of crop types will provide the maximum benefits to the widest range of species. The best sites are near to thick hedges which provide safe cover for birds.

If spring sowing is not possible, crops can be established in the autumn, but be aware that they will then only provide seed food in alternate winters (for annual mixes) or in two out of three winters (for biennial mixes).

At the end of its final winter, destroy the cover in late March or early April and re-establish the mix as soon as possible. Sowing a cereal mix and broadcasting the other crops before rolling should achieve good establishment.

Crops can be replaced annually or every 2 years. Two-year crops including a biennial crop provide better cover for game birds, whereas annual, cereal-based mixtures provide continuous food for seed-eating birds. If biennial crops are used, establishing blocks in alternate years will ensure that there will be a mix of seeds available every winter.

Nitrogen fertiliser may be required in some cases for successful establishment and to boost seed yields, dependent on the crops used. It may also be necessary to relocate plots if disease levels (e.g. of brassica club root) or weed pressures prevent establishment.

As with all crops, wild bird cover is susceptible to competition from weeds, and attack by pests and diseases during establishment. Insects and weed seeds are important components of the diet of farmland birds, so the use of insecticides and herbicides should be kept to a minimum. Any use of insecticides and most herbicides will require derogation for plots grown as part of agri-environment scheme funding.

Creating wild bird seed areas can be complemented by providing brood-rearing cover for grey partridges. They are established in spring or autumn each year by creating a 20m strip alongside tussocky grass margins where the birds are likely to nest. The seed rate should be low (60kg/ha cereals and 6kg/ha mustard or rape) to create an open habitat that gives the birds access to the ground and low-growing weeds.

As the season goes on, winter bird covers may run out of resources so it’s a good idea to undertake supplementary feeding around these areas, particularly later on in winter (December through to March).