Attracting Garden Birds

Garden Birds

Many people go to great lengths to keep birds out of their garden. Pigeons will eat tender fruit and smaller species will happily make a snack of newly sown seeds. However our feathered friends also do a lot of good, eating insects, slugs and snails which would otherwise prey on garden plants. Unfortunately, the British bird population is in decline and once-common species such as sparrows, starlings and blue tits are becoming a rare spectacle in some areas. For suggestions to help these valuable and attractive garden visitors, you can also read our guide to wildlife gardening. Leaving out seed, fat balls and a water source will encourage beneficial creatures into your garden and bring you hours of amusement.

Spring

As the memory of the cold winter fades, your garden will start to become a hive of activity as many species start to build their nests. To make the process easier for them, avoid spring-cleaning the garden too rigorously. Pieces of dried foliage and fallen twigs will be snapped up by broody birds. During March blackbirds will create muddy, untidy nests in bushes and trees, whilst in April, chatty starling will also begin to build. Later in the month you may be lucky enough to have wrens nesting in the garden. They are easy to identify by their characteristic call – you'll hear a distinct ‘teck teck teck' from nearby bushes. During the spring keep an eye out for hatchlings which may fall from the nest. These immature birds should be placed back in the nest with as little disturbance to the site as is humanly possible. If this isn't an option, chicks should be passed on to an expert rehabilitator for hand-rearing.

Summer

In early summer many domestic species are beginning to leave the nest. It is perfectly normal for fledglings to spend a couple of days on the ground whilst their final feathers develop. It goes without saying that they are extremely vulnerable at this time and cats can prove a real problem. As for all wildlife, handling is extremely stressful and should be avoided unless strictly necessary. It is unlikely that the bird has been abandoned, and its parents are likely to be in the vicinity keeping a watchful eye over their baby. If the bird is in danger or catches the eye of an opportunistic feline, it should be moved to safety as quickly and quietly as possible. Try to keep the youngster within earshot of its parents so they are able to locate it after you have gone. Moving a fledgling to safety is not likely to cause the parent to reject it. Birds have a very poor sense of smell so will not pick up your scent on their young. Remember, wild birds are always better off when cared for by other birds rather than humans – removal from their natural habitat should be the very last resort.

Autumn

This season can provide rich pickings for many domestic species. Seeds ripen and autumn fruit begins to mature. Leave heads on your summer flowers for the birds to enjoy – they will appreciate the extra food as the weather begins to turn colder. If you have fruit in your garden, leave windfalls on the ground and you will see blackbirds descend in droves. This species love apples and will fiercely defend their bounty from other birds.

Winter

At this time of year birds are particularly visible as many bushes and trees have shed their leaves. Without camouflage they can be vulnerable, so be sure to keep an eye out for cats. Although they are often seen during the warmer months, the red-breasted robin will be easy to spot amongst the bare branches. Whilst they are depicted in idyllic settings on Christmas cards, the robin is actually rather aggressive to members of its own species. December is the time when they secure their territory for spring breeding and encroachment from another male will not be taken lightly! During the colder months food is scarce, so you may see winter thrushes foraging on your lawn. A nut-filled feeder will encourage small flocks of finches to visit during the otherwise food-barren months.

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