What on earth is a mast year?
If you’ve noticed heaps of acorns or beech nuts carpeting the ground this autumn, you’re not imagining it — 2025 is a mast year.
A mast year happens when trees like oak, beech, hazel and chestnut all produce a bumper crop of seeds and nuts at the same time. Scientists think it’s nature’s clever survival strategy: when trees release huge numbers of seeds in one go, animals can’t possibly eat them all, so more survive to grow into new trees.
Why does it matter for our birds?
Right now, our woodland birds and small mammals are enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet. But when winter really sets in, those natural supplies disappear — and that’s when gardens become a lifeline.
Feeding garden birds helps them survive the cold months, and regular visitors like robins, blue tits and finches will soon come to rely on your feeders.
How you can help your garden birds this winter
✅ Keep feeders topped up with high-energy mixes, fat balls and suet blocks.
✅ Provide clean, unfrozen water daily.
✅ Place feeders in safe, sheltered spots near shrubs or hedges.
✅ Clean feeders regularly to keep them hygienic.
At Kings Garden & Leisure, you’ll find a wide selection of quality bird feed, suet treats, feeders and feeding stations — plus friendly advice from our team in Exmouth and Sidmouth.
A final note on mast years
Mast years don’t happen every year — they’re unpredictable and special. But they remind us just how connected our gardens are to the wider natural world.
So when the bounty fades, it’s our turn to lend a hand. Keep those feeders full and your garden will soon be alive with song.