Introducing the Fledglings and Feathers Blend

By late summer, the chaos of breeding season is winding down. Young birds are becoming independent, while adults are starting to recover from the exhausting job of raising their chicks. This is also the time when many birds begin their annual moult, shedding old feathers and growing fresh ones in preparation for autumn and winter. You can learn more about how your garden birds' needs change throughout the year in our blog post.
Moulting is energy-intensive. Feathers are made from keratin - just like our hair and nails - and growing new ones requires a lot of energy. At this time of year, they'll be more secretive, hiding away while they're vulnerable to predators and finding it harder to fly. At the same time, natural food sources can be unreliable. The bounty of autumn hasn’t arrived yet, and many birds find themselves in a bit of a gap between summer insects and autumn seeds.
Introducing the Fledglings and Feathers Blend
The Fledglings and Feathers Blend from A Little Bird Co. is designed to help birds through this transitional season. Sunflower hearts provide an easy-to-eat energy boost, while extra suet pellets offer the fats birds need to stay strong during the moult. We’ve also included hempseed, another powerhouse for protein which mimics the diet birds rely on in the wild. You can learn more about hemp in this blog post. Goldfinches, woodpeckers, blue tits and sparrows love hempseed. Every food is chosen because it's quick for the birds to grab from the feeder at a time of year when they're feeling a lot more vulnerable to predators. We leave out the dried mealworms, because they can dehydrate young fledglings, who get all of their moisture from their food.
You’ll attract robins, who appreciate the high-energy mix for their busy days of foraging, and sparrows, who thrive on sunflower hearts. The suet pellets are a favourite of woodpeckers, helping them maintain their energy levels during the cold snap. Greenfinches, with their strong beaks, enjoy the hempseed for its protein-packed goodness, while blue tits and great tits are drawn to the smaller seeds that they can easily peck at.
Which birds can I see this season?
Late summer is a quieter time in the garden, but there’s still plenty to see. Young blue tits and great tits often form small flocks, moving together as they explore new food sources. Goldfinches flock to niger seed feeders, their bright red faces and tinkling calls adding a splash of colour and sound.
This is also when we say goodbye to summer visitors. Swifts are among the first to leave, followed by swallows and house martins as they head back to Africa. Meanwhile, some early autumn migrants, like wheatears and spotted flycatchers, stop off in gardens and fields on their way south.
Order a bag of seasonal bird food today!
Late summer can be a tricky time for birds, and the Fledglings and Feathers Blend from A Little Bird Co. gives them the nutrition they need to stay strong and healthy. Whether they’re finishing their moult or preparing for migration, this mix ensures they have the right balance of protein, fat, and energy.
If you’re a subscriber, your blend has already switched automatically. If not, now’s a great time to start! Keep your feeders topped up and enjoy watching birds transition into the next season.
All you need to do is sign up for a subscription - we'll take care of the rest!