What To Feed Farmland Birds In Winter In The UK

Winter can be a tough time for farmland birds in the UK. As the weather gets colder and natural food sources become scarce, many birds struggle to find enough to eat. By understanding what to feed farmland birds during these colder months, you can help support local wildlife and keep bird populations thriving.

Where To Feed Winter Birds, UK

Choosing the right sites for feeding winter birds is crucial to ensure they get enough food during colder months.

We recommend spreading seed across several different areas to cater to species that prefer different environments. During winter feeding, it is important to remember:

• Tree sparrows and yellowhammers prefer feeding near cover, such as hedges.
• Corn buntings tend to feed near fences or ditches where they can perch and scan for predators.

Make sure to top up seeds at different locations on various days to ensure there’s always food available.

The Best Locations for Feeding Winter Birds, UK

The seeds should be placed on firm, well-draining areas of bare ground or short vegetation, making it easy for birds to find. Avoid locations where the vegetation is too long, as this can hide the seeds.

Recommended feeding areas include:

• Bare or sparsely vegetated farm tracks in quiet areas
• Hard-standing areas away from farmyards, like a beet pad
• Winter bird feeding stations
• Overwinter stubble fields
• Cultivated fallow areas
• Mown grass margins with short vegetation

Which Winter Birds Benefit From This?

Birds like yellowhammers, tree sparrows, linnets, corn buntings, and grey partridges rely on seeds, grains, and cereals to survive through the colder months. Supplementary feeding helps these species maintain good condition for breeding in the spring.

By scattering a mix of cereals (like wheat, barley, and oats) and small seeds (such as millet, sunflower hearts, and canary seed) on firm, free-draining surfaces like farm tracks or grass margins, you can provide essential sustenance. 

What Is The AB12 Supplementary Winter Feeding?

The AB12 Supplementary Winter Feeding is part of the Countryside Stewardship scheme in the UK. It provides financial support to farmers to feed seed-eating farmland birds during the winter months when natural food is scarce. Farmers spread a mix of cereals (like wheat and barley) and small seeds (such as millet and sunflowers) from December to April to help birds like yellowhammers and tree sparrows. The scheme offers payments per tonne of feed used, supporting both wildlife conservation and sustainable farming practices​.

For more detailed information, we have written another article here about what the AB12 Countryside Stewardship scheme is in more detail.

Recommended Products For Feeding Birds In The Winter In The UK

Here are two recommended products from Vine House Farm for feeding birds in winter:

1. AB12 Supplementary Feeding Basic Mix
   This mix contains 70% cereals and 30% small seeds, designed to support farmland birds during the winter when food is scarce. It is fully compliant with the AB12 Countryside Stewardship scheme and should be put out at least once per week. The target species include yellowhammer, tree sparrow, linnet, grey partridge, reed bunting, and turtle dove (from April).
   Ingredients: Red millet, white millet, canary seed, and rape.
   This mix is customisable based on your needs, and Vine House Farm offers expert advice for maximising its effectiveness.
2. AB12 Supplementary Feeding Cereal Free Mix
   This is a cereal-free, energy-rich mix containing only small seeds, ideal for situations where wheat or other cereals can be added separately. It’s also suited for the AB12 scheme and should be placed weekly near bird cover margins and overwinter stubble. The target species are the same as the basic mix: Yellowhammer, Tree sparrow, Linnet, Grey partridge, Reed bunting, and Turtle dove (from April).
   Ingredients: Red millet, white millet, canary seed, and rape.
   Delivery is included in the price, and like the basic mix, custom options are available.

Both mixes are designed by farmers, based on their own experiences, to prevent starvation during the “hungry gap”​