Summer Bird Food - Best Food For Birds In Summer

Feeding birds in summer may not be as instinctive as in winter, but it’s no less important. As the garden bursts into life and days stretch long into the evening, birds are busier than ever. They're raising hungry chicks, guiding fledglings through their first flights, and searching constantly for energy-rich food to fuel their demanding season.

Guide to Feeding Birds in Summer...
Summer Bird Food - Best Food For Birds In Summer

Why Should You Feed Birds in Summer

By offering the right food in summer, you’re not only supporting adult birds, but also giving inexperienced young ones a better chance of survival.

Whether you're new to feeding garden birds or looking to adjust your feeders for warmer months, this guide will help you make the smartest choices for summer bird care. And don’t forget; if you support the new generation of birds well, they’ll stick with you, and you’ll experience the joy of your birds visiting your garden all year round.

Summer might seem like a time of plenty, but for garden birds, it brings a unique set of challenges.

Many adults are rearing second or even third broods, which means multiple mouths to feed, often from dawn until dusk. Natural food sources like caterpillars or insects may seem abundant but aren’t always reliable or evenly available across gardens and green spaces.

Young fledglings, still learning how to fend for themselves, benefit enormously from consistent, easy-to-access food sources. A steady supply of suitable food in the locality of nesting sites gives parents more time to rest and teach vital survival skills, and helps young birds build strength quickly.

By feeding birds in summer, you help:

  • Support overworked parent birds during nesting and rearing
  • Reduce stress on natural food sources
  • Boost survival rates of newly fledged young
  • Attract a wider variety of species to your garden

Showing 1-20 of 20 products

Sort by:
Sort

Sort

Showing 20 of 20 products

Clear all filters
Clear all filters
  • Ark No Mess Feeder Mix for birds Chaffinch eating ark no mess bird feeder mix
    BEST SELLER

    Ark No Mess Feeder Mix

    From £5.60
    From £5.60
    £0.00
    • Popular: our bestselling no mess feeder mix
    • High-quality: high oil and protein mix
    • Versatile: attractive to all birds in your garden
  • Ark Suet Balls with Insects; Bowl of Ark Suet Balls; Feeding Ark Suet Balls in the garden Ark Suet Balls with Insects; Bowl of Ark Suet Balls; Feeding Ark Suet Balls in the garden

    Ark Suet Balls with Insects

    From £4.75
    From £4.75
    • All-rounder: a delicious treat for garden birds throughout the year
    • Protein-packed: with added dried insects for a healthy boost
    • Quality: over 25% fat content – much higher than most standard fat balls
  • Premium Sunflower Hearts; Premium Sunflower Hearts; Blue Tit sunflower Seeds; Blue tit and nuthatch on sunflower hearts Premium Sunflower Hearts; Premium Sunflower Hearts; Blue Tit sunflower Seeds; Blue tit and nuthatch on sunflower hearts
    BEST SELLER

    Premium Sunflower Hearts

    From £5.40
    From £5.40
    • High-quality: are of the finest bakery grade, with an additional clean and filter
    • Energising: rich in oil for that beneficial boost
    • Versatile: enjoyed by every bird that will visit your garden
  • Dried Mealworms; Dried Mealworms; Starlings feeding on Dried Mealworms Black Bird on a glass dish filled with dried mealworms

    Dried Mealworms

    From £4.25
    From £4.25
    • Energising: provides the same high levels of energy as live insects
    • Protein-packed: a highly valuable source of protein for insect-eating garden birds
    • Versatile: a tasty and appealing treat for a range of wild birds
  • Ark Insect Suet Pellets; Ark Insect Suet Pellets being enjoyed by a Robin; Ark Insect Suet Pellets enjoyed by this Blackbird Ark Insect Suet Pellets; Ark Insect Suet Pellets being enjoyed by a Robin; Ark Insect Suet Pellets enjoyed by this Blackbird

    Ark Insect Suet Pellets

    From £4.95
    From £4.95
    • Wholesome: packed with energy and protein for a filling meal
    • High-quality: made with 100% quality natural ingredients
    • Fledgling-friendly: ideal for baby birds in spring and summer time
  • Ark Hearty Mealworm Mix; A chaffinch enjoying Ark Hearty Mealworm Mix from an Onxy Seed Feeder; Ark Hearty Mealworm Mix being enjoyed by a Coal Tit, from an Onxy Seed Feeder Ark Hearty Mealworm Mix; A chaffinch enjoying Ark Hearty Mealworm Mix from an Onxy Seed Feeder; Ark Hearty Mealworm Mix being enjoyed by a Coal Tit, from an Onxy Seed Feeder

    Ark Hearty™ Mealworm Mix

    From £6.20
    From £6.20
    £0.00
    • High-quality: premium mealworm mix with extra protein
    • Versatile: suitable for year-round use
    • Caring: wheat free with zero fillers
  • Ark Insectivore Food; Hedgehogs eating Ark Insectivore Food; Fieldfare eating Ark Insectivore Food; Nuthatch eating Ark Insectivore Food Ark Insectivore Food; Hedgehogs eating Ark Insectivore Food; Fieldfare eating Ark Insectivore Food; Nuthatch eating Ark Insectivore Food
    Fortified with Calcium

    Ark Insectivore Food

    From £7.00
    From £7.00
    • Nourishing: fortified with protein, calcium and probiotics for bird health
    • Wildlife-focused: help insect eaters when their natural food is scarce
    • Versatile: a highly palatable food supplement for insect eating birds and mammals
  • Ark Hearty Suet Mix Blackbird eating ark hearty suet mix

    Ark Hearty™ Suet Mix

    From £5.95
    From £5.95
    £0.00
    • Versatile: attracts a variety of birds
    • High-quality: we use only the most premium seeds
    • Caring: no fillers as these offer no nutritional value
  • Ark Mealworm Suet Pellets; Young Blackbird enjoying mealworm suet pellets; Ark Mealworm Suet Pellets Ark Mealworm Suet Pellets; Young Blackbird enjoying mealworm suet pellets; Ark Mealworm Suet Pellets

    Ark Mealworm Suet Pellets

    From £4.95
    From £4.95
    • Versatile: suitable for all year round feeding
    • High-quality: made from 100% premium ingredients
    • Nutritious: high energy and protein
  • Calcium Worms Dried Calcium Worms

    Dried Calcium Worms

    From £4.10
    From £4.10
    • Nutritious: excellent source of protein and calcium
    • Versatile: perfect for table, ground and seed feeders
    • Appealing: attract more insectivore birds to gardens
  • Peanut Granules

    Peanut Granules

    From £6.70
    From £6.70
    • High-quality: made of the freshest peanut kernels on the market
    • Bite-sized: suitable for small species of birds and fledglings
    • Tested and tasty: completely free from aflatoxins and bird safe
  • Live Mealworms for Birds; Live Mealworms; Blackbird feeding on Live Mealworms Robin with 2 mealworms in beak

    Live Mealworms

    From £9.25
    From £9.25
    • Ideal for all insect eating garden birds
    • Excellent nutrition for young birds during the breeding season
    • Please Note: These items are posted directly from the Live Food Farm by Royal Mail 1st class post and do not count towards your £30 basket total
  • Ark Klens reasy to use bird feeder disinfectant

    Ark-Klens Ready To Use

    £7.25
    £7.25
    • Effective: Works to protect against bacteria, viruses and fungi
    • Safe To Use: Suitable for bird, hedgehog and other animal feeders and habitats
    • Ready To Use: Disinfectant with additional detergent and deodorising action
  • Vet-Ark Citrosan for bird baths

    Vet Ark Citrosan

    £7.25
    £7.25
    • Natural: Non-toxic, GM Free bio-degradable product
    • Easy To Use: Added to water protects against transmission of diseases
    • Beneficial: Helps improve the survival rate of fledglings and adults alike
  • Oasis bird bath on rocky flower bed arial view of the Oasis bird bath

    Oasis Bird Bath & Water Drinker

    £23.95
    £23.95
    • Sustainable: made from a composite of clay & recycled materials for an eco-friendly, natural finish
    • Welcoming: designed for all creatures — no matter how large or small!
    • Long lasting: covered by a 10 year manufacturer`s guarantee
  • Bird Feeder and Table Cleaning Kit; 2 in 1 Bird Table Cleaning Scraper; Ark-Klens Ready to Use; Bird Feeder Cleaning Brush Bird Feeder and Table Cleaning Kit; 2 in 1 Bird Table Cleaning Scraper; Ark-Klens Ready to Use; Bird Feeder Cleaning Brush

    Complete Bird Feeder`s Hygiene Kit

    £15.95
    £15.95
    • Protective: Prevents spread of disease
    • Supportive: Keeps bird tables and feeders clean and free of mould
    • Includes: Ready-to-use` safe disinfectant, cleaning brush and tool
  • Feeder Fresh 250g; Feeder with feeder fresh; Feeder without feeder fresh, mould Feeder Fresh 250g; Feeder with feeder fresh; Feeder without feeder fresh, mould

    Feeder Fresh 250g

    £10.95
    £10.95
    • Effective: 250g size safe, non-toxic granules to absorb moisture
    • Convenient: Reduces the need for frequent feeder maintenance
    • Supportive: Promotes positive bird health benefits
  • Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish; Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish; Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish; Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish; Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish

    Old Iron Buttercup Water Dish

    £18.95
    £18.95
    • High Quality: sturdy and stable, made from cast iron for long life
    • Practical: petite, easy to clean and fill
    • Attractive: great design that fits with all styles of garden
  • Natural Citrus Cleanrer Concentrate 500ml

    Natural Citrus Cleaner 500ml

    £11.95
    £11.95
    • 100% Natural: Entirely safe bird feeder cleaner, kind to birds and the environment
    • Easy To Use: Use as a cleaning agent, or simply by total immersion
    • Multi-Purpose: Can be used as a general garden cleaner
  • Bird food for hanging feeders Bird food uk bird feeder
    20% OFF NEW

    Essential Bird Food Bundle

    £54.20
    £54.20
    £67.75
    • Premium-grade bird food bundle - with zero fillers and zero waste
    • Attract the widest variety of garden birds particularly small tits and finches, robins and blackbirds  - perfect for year round feeding
    • Enjoy feeding your birds for less with our convenient bundle of clean, nutritious bird food - that leaves no mess or waste to clear up

Showing 1-20 of 20 products

Should You Have Bird Feeders in Summer?

Absolutely. While feeders are often associated with winter, they’re just as valuable in the summer months. You might notice different feeding behaviours, but a well-placed summer feeder can remain a lifeline, especially during dry spells when natural foraging is tougher.

A few tips for summer bird feeders:

  • Keep them clean: Warm temperatures accelerate the growth of bacteria and mould. Clean feeders every few days with hot water and regularly disinfect them
  • Offer fresh food: Replace food frequently, especially during hot or humid weather
  • Provide shade: Position feeders out of direct sun to keep food fresher and reduce overheating
  • Add a water source: A shallow dish or bird bath filled with fresh water is essential as birds need access to fresh daily, just like us!

Which Food Is Best for Birds in Summer?

Summer bird food should be high in energy, soft-textured for young beaks, and easy to digest. You’ll want to offer a variety that caters to different species, from seed lovers like finches to insect-eaters like robins.

Best food options include:

  • Sunflower hearts: Packed with energy and no husks to deal with
  • Mealworms (live or dried): A firm favourite, especially for robins, blackbirds, and wrens. Soak dried mealworms in water to make them easier for chicks to swallow
  • Soft suet pellets: Insect and mealworm varieties are particularly popular in summer months
  • Peanut granules: Crushed or kibbled peanut kernels full of oil and protein are safer than whole peanuts for young fledglings as well as adult birds
  • Fruit: Soft fruits like raisins, apple slices, or chopped berries can be a welcome supplement
  • Suet balls: with insects are a great option for fledglings learning how to feed independently

What Is the Best Seed for Summer Birds?

Not all seed mixes are equal, especially in summer. Avoid low quality mixes bulked out with wheat or large whole grains, which are often ignored and can encourage pests. The best summer seed mixes:

  • Contain sunflower hearts, oats, peanut granules, suet pellets, and mealworms
  • Are free from husks and fillers, making them easier for fledglings to access and digest
  • Fresh, recleaned seeds with high oil content don’t go mouldy quickly in warmer weather

A well-balanced summer seed mix such as our exclusive Ark Hearty(tm) range supports both adult birds and their young, giving you a busy, bustling garden full of healthy activity.

What Is the Best Time of Day to Feed Birds in the Summer?

Early morning and early evening are prime times. These cooler parts of the day are when birds are most active and food is most urgently needed. Especially by parents feeding broods in the nest.

Morning feeds help replenish energy lost overnight, while evening feeding gives a boost before roosting. Offering fresh food during these times encourages regular visits and allows you to watch their routines unfold.

If you’re leaving food out all day, make sure it’s in a shaded spot and isn’t spoiling in the heat.

What to Avoid Feeding Birds in Summer

Some foods that are fine in winter can cause problems in summer. Heat and humidity speed up spoilage and fermentation, so it’s important to avoid anything that might go off quickly or harm vulnerable fledglings.

Avoid feeding:

  • Whole peanuts: (unless in a mesh feeder and out of reach of chicks)
  • Low quality Fat balls: can melt and turn rancid in hot weather
  • Bread: Offers very little nutritional value but quickly fills chicks’ stomachs
  • Spoiled or mouldy food: Can cause illness in both adults and fledglings
  • Salty or seasoned kitchen scraps: Birds are sensitive to salt and processed ingredients.

If in doubt, stick to fresh, specialist bird food designed for year-round feeding.

Is There a Time You Should Stop Feeding Birds in Summer?

No, but what and how you feed might change slightly as the season progresses.

As chicks fledge and become independent, and natural food becomes more abundant in late summer, birds may visit feeders less often. This is perfectly natural and doesn’t mean you should stop feeding altogether.

Keep feeders topped up but fresh, and consider reducing the amount slightly if you notice less activity. Water, however, should be a constant, clean, shallow bowls or birdbaths are essential all summer long, especially during heatwaves.

Remember: Feeding birds is about offering support, not replacing nature. As long as the food is clean, safe, and appropriate, your feeders will be a welcome supplementary helping hand.

Responsible Summer Feeding: Why Cleanliness Matters

Feeding birds in summer is one of the simplest joys, but with warm, humid air comes an important responsibility. Food spoils faster in the heat, and leftover seed or suet can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and viruses. Young fledglings, still learning to feed themselves, are especially vulnerable. That’s why feeders should be cleaned thoroughly every week during summer months, ideally using a mild, wildlife-safe disinfectant and hot water. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a world of difference in keeping your garden visitors safe, healthy, and coming back with confidence.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Feeding birds in summer isn’t just about helping wildlife thrive, it’s about connection. Watching newly fledged birds discover your garden, hearing the dawn chorus in early morning, watching an exhausted parent bird take a bath, and knowing your actions are making a real difference… that’s the joy of summer bird feeding.

On this page you’ll find our specially selected Summer Bird Food and recommended accessories all chosen to keep your birds healthy, safe, and strong during the most active months of the year.

FAQs

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions.

If you cannot find the answer to your query within these FAQ’s please call our customer service team on free phone 0800 085 4865 between 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Read all FAQs

Outside of office hours please complete the form on our Contact Us page and we will respond to your request within 1 working day of our return.

How to

Guides for everything you need

View All Guides
What do robins eat? Insects and seeds

How to Attract and Feed Robins

Read more

How to Clean a Bird Feeder Thoroughly

Read more
Starlings fighting beak to beak

How To Stop Starlings Eating Bird Food

Read more
goldfinches eating seeds

How to Attract Birds to Feeders

Read more
Male blackbird with a beak full of mealworms

Guide to Feeding Blackbirds

Read more
Sick Greenfinch in a garden

Should I feed Garden Birds

Read more

FREE Express Delivery Over £30

To most UK postcodes

60-Day Money Back Guarantee

Buy with confidence

Over 500,000 Satisfied Customers

Quality at the heart of everything we do

Rated 4.9/5 for Customer Service

Verified independent reviews