Top tips for attracting birds to your garden

We recently blogged about the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch and the benefits birdwatching can have, so if you’re up for taking part this year, follow our top tips to attract birds to your garden.

Flood, glorious food!

The best way to attract birds to your garden is by putting out food. Food is essential for them in the colder months as other food sources may be scarce.

You don’t even need a garden to put out food, a tray on a windowsill can be just as effective.

You can install a bird table and feeders in your garden. Finches will use both and favour sunflower hearts, while Blue Tits and Great Tits prefer seeds as well as suet and peanuts. Blackbirds like to feed from the ground from fatty nibbles to mealworms.

You can also put out leftovers such as small amounts of bread, fruit cake, dried fruit, unsalted nuts and fruits such as apples and pears.

Put out water

A bird bath or a large plant pot with water for the birds is ideal. Make sure it is kept clean and the water is fresh every day.

Keep an eye on it in the winter in case it freezes over.

Plant fruit or berry-bearing trees

Planting trees such as rowan, holly, hawthorn and honeysuckle and shrubs such as cotoneaster, berberis and pyracantha to encourage birds to the garden for shelter, nesting and feeding.

Keep nest boxes clean

It’s important to keep nest boxes clean because it will encourage birds to roost in them during the winter and prevents the build-up of harmful parasites. It will also help extend the life of your nest box.

It is an offence to intentionally disturb breeding wild birds. However, nest box clearing is permitted after the season has ended and before a new one begins.

Make them feel safe 

You should place feeders where birds can spot dangers such as cats, easily. They should also be away from windows to minimise the risk of collisions.