If you like a spot of birdwatching, then one of the easiest ways to see some of our feathered friends is to attract them to your garden. Here are some of the simplest ways to do this.
Feed the birds
Offering food is one of the easiest and quickest ways to attract garden birds. You can provide food via bird feeders, on tables, or both. Place a safe distance from any shrubs or trees in case of waiting neighbourhood cats, but within a short flight to cover in case the birds should suddenly need to take cover.
Infectious diseases can be spread between birds, so it’s important to keep bird tables, feeders and baths as clean as possible too. Buy good quality bird food, and make sure it doesn’t go off if it remains untouched for some time.
A bird-friendly garden
Other garden features that can attract birds include dense trees or shrubbery, or even trailing ivy, that are suitable for nest-building and sheltering from inclement weather. Birds might also be keen to visit if you lay on a freshly-grown feast for them, by means of providing plants that bear fruit that they can eat. Thrushes and waxwings are particularly keen on berries.
Insect-friendly greenery can also help, as the birds will be keen to eat the small bugs. Other features that birds will love include a clean bird bath and avoiding the use of pesticides. Your lawn can also feed the birds, especially species such as blackbirds, robins and song thrushes.
