Let's face it - when it's pouring outside, most of us prefer to stay cosy indoors with a hot cup of tea. But while we're keeping dry, our garden birds face a different challenge, and their feeders might need more attention than we realise.
Why Weather-Proofing Bird Feeders Matters
As wild bird enthusiasts, we know the joy of watching birds visiting our gardens. However, wet and windy weather can transform our well-intentioned feeding stations into potential hazard zones. The problem? We're less likely to check on our feeders during bad weather - exactly when they need the most attention.
The Hidden Dangers of Wet Bird Food
When bird food gets wet, it doesn't just become unappetising - it can become dangerous. Wet bird food can start growing mould within 24-48 hours, and that's something we might miss if we're not venturing out to check our feeders regularly. This mould can cause respiratory infections in birds and spread, along with other diseases like trichomonosis, which has devastated finch populations across the UK.
When bird food gets wet, it can harbour three main types of harmful organisms:
- Fungi (moulds): Species like Aspergillus can produce harmful mycotoxins and cause respiratory infections in birds. This is one of the most common threats in wet feeders.
- Bacteria: Organisms like Salmonella and E. coli can multiply rapidly in moist conditions, causing severe digestive illness in birds.
- Parasites: Trichomonas gallinae (which causes trichomonosis) is actually a microscopic parasite, not a mould. It spreads more easily in wet conditions when birds congregate at feeders.
These pathogens can become particularly problematic because wet conditions create an ideal environment for their growth and transmission between birds sharing the same feeding space.
Warning Signs to Watch For:
• Clumped or discoloured seeds
• Green, black or white fuzzy growth on seeds
• Unusual musty smell coming from feeders
• Birds avoiding previously popular feeders
What Does a Bird Need in the Rain?
Birds are remarkably well adapted to rain. Their feathers are layered and coated in oils they preen themselves with, which helps keep them waterproof. But even with nature’s clever design, wind and rain can make it tough going. In prolonged downpours, birds expend more energy keeping warm, their food sources become harder to find, and their feathers can lose insulating effectiveness, especially if food is scarce or they're underweight.
Just like us, birds need three fundamental things during wet weather: nourishment, protection, and a dry spot to rest.
Reliable food becomes critical during rainy spells. Natural food sources like insects and worms can be washed away, drowned or simply unavailable. That's where we can help - by keeping feeders clean and dry, and by offering calorie rich food like sunflower hearts, suet, and mealworms, that are easy to eat and packed with energy. Birds need quick access to high-energy food to maintain body temperature and survive cold, wet conditions.
Shelter is equally vital. In the wild, birds will take refuge in dense hedges, ivy-clad walls, thick shrubs, or even inside nest boxes if they’re not already occupied. If your garden is lacking in cover, you can make a real difference by planting native hedgerows, adding evergreen shrubs, or even just leaving a dense corner of the garden a little wild. In the short term, placing feeders near existing shelter, and out of prevailing winds helps reduce the energy birds expend dashing back and forth in the rain.
A protected resting spot can make all the difference in harsh weather. Whether it's a sheltered branch, open porch, shed, or protected feeding station, these dry sanctuaries offer essential respite from the elements. Even a small covered area can provide crucial protection from wind and rain.
Essential Steps to Waterproof Your Bird Feeders
1. Choose the Right Feeder Design
Not all bird feeders are created equal when it comes to wet weather protection. Look for:
- Feeders with good-sized roofs or rain guards
- Mesh feeders that allow water drainage
- Covered port feeders that keep seed dry
- Feeders that come apart easily for cleaning without requiring tools
2. Avoid These Feeder Types:
- Wooden bird feeders and tables, which can harbour harmful bacteria in their porous surfaces and joints
- Feeders with hard-to-reach corners or intricate designs that can become breeding grounds for dangerous pathogens
- Flat surfaced feeders that may collect bird droppings
- Oversized feeders where food sits uneaten for more than a few days
3. Strategic Placement is Key
Think like a weather forecaster when positioning your feeders:
- Install feeders under natural shelter like tree canopies
- Use house eaves for protection
- Consider wind direction to minimize rain exposure
4. Smart Bird Food Choices for Wet Weather
Some foods handle moisture better than others:
- Suet balls, suet pellets and blocks (perfect for wet weather)
- Sunflower hearts (they're less likely to sprout)
- High-quality seed mixes without wheat or barley
5. Regular Maintenance Routine
Even in wet weather (especially in wet weather), maintain a strict cleaning schedule:
- Clean feeders weekly with hot, soapy water
- Disinfect monthly with a bird-safe cleaning solution
- Dry thoroughly before refilling
- Check daily for wet or clumped food
6. Portion Control Matters
Think "little and often" rather than filling feeders to the brim:
- Add only enough food for 1-2 days
- Check and replace food more frequently during wet spells
- Remove any wet or spoiled food immediately
7. Ground Feeding Alternatives
For ground-feeding birds like blackbirds and dunnocks:
- Use covered ground feeding stations
- Place food on raised platforms
- Remove uneaten food before dusk
8. Water Management
Don't forget about drinking water:
- Clean and refill bird baths daily
- Consider adding a moving water feature to prevent stagnation
- Consider adding a bird safe additive to prevent disease transmission
Remember: Just because we're staying inside doesn't mean our garden birds stop needing our help. Set up a viewing station near a window - it's the perfect excuse to bird watch while staying dry!
Wet Bird Food FAQ's
What to do with wet bird seed:
Although birds will eat wet bird seeds, they can quickly become toxic. It's better to dispose of them in a compost heap or food bin and only fill bird feeders with the amount that gets eaten daily until dry weather returns.
Does bird seed go bad if I dry it out?
Bird seed is a natural product which has been cleaned and dried but not chemically treated (from responsible suppliers like Ark Wildlife). This means it will hold naturally occurring mould and yeast spores which will grow in wet conditions. Additionally, birds bring pathogens on their feet and beaks when visiting feeders. Therefore once bird seed has been put in the garden, if it's left uneaten or gets wet, it should be removed and disposed of. Never dried out and returned!
Will birds eat wet bird seed?
Birds will eat wet bird seed, they do this naturally while foraging in our gardens and hedgerows. However, the introduction of bird feeders adds an unnatural density of food which is enormously beneficial for birds, but can present risks if not responsibly handled. Hygiene is paramount and all the necessary precautions are detailed in this blog.
Bird Feeder Rain Guards:
There are many options and bird feeder designs offered to protect against the weather. However, as with any outdoor item, condensation will form inside feeders making the seed damp. Moisture is not always present directly from rain. Therefore a comprehensive hygiene programme (see above) is essential either way, and a bird feeder designed for easy-cleaning is often a better option.Â
Final Thoughts About Wet Bird Feeders
Maintaining bird feeders in wet weather requires extra effort, but it's crucial for the health of our garden visitors. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant even during dreary weather, we can ensure our feeding stations remain safe havens for birds year-round.
