We have plenty of choice in our wild bird range to suit many varieties of birds so that you can start attracting them to your garden. Why not visit us and take a look at our feeders, nest boxes and bird tables if you’re thinking of starting to encourage more birds to your garden or even if you are already involved in this fantastic pastime, here are a few feeding tips to get you going.

Creating the right environment to attract birds

There are many things you can do to attract wild birds to your garden, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Food

• Supply regularly, put in quiet places and spread around on the ground, in hanging feeders and on tables to attract different birds.
• Grow plants that supply seeds, berries and insects - ask our experts in store for further advice.
• Put a mixture of foods out to attract different birds:
  • Nyjer seeds for goldfinches
  • Peanuts for greenfinches and the tit family (but always put in mesh feeder to prevent baby birds eating them whole)
  • Fruit – for blackbirds and thrushes
  • Mealworms – for all birds
  • Fat balls – vital in the winter months
  • Black sunflower seeds – excellent all year round
  • Grated mild cheese – for robins and wrens

Water

• Birds are attracted to the sound of running water, so a water feature is almost guaranteed to bring them into the garden.
• Birdbaths containing fresh water provide essential hydration and aid feather maintenance.

Shelter and Nesting space

• Plant shrubs and trees for shelter, camouflage and nesting space.
• Put up nest boxes of various sizes in the autumn to allow potential residents time to settle in.
• Hang the boxes away from feeding stations, predators and direct sun or wind.

Keeping clean

• Birds like to clean their feathers and get rid of parasites with a dust bath - create one in a sunny quiet spot in your garden.

Bird Tables
Tables should be placed somewhere quiet away from human traffic and places where predators can gain easy access (such as trees, fences and bushes) and as with nest boxes do not place in directly facing south and west directions.

Birds also like tables near a look out point so they can monitor its safety first and have a safe place they can easily get to. A bush 2-3 metres away will do the job.

Links
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
British Trust for Ornithology
Garden Birds