How to Attract Birds to Your Garden

Birds bring life, colour, and beautiful melodies to our surroundings, and what better way to enjoy their presence than by creating a bird-friendly garden? Attracting birds to your garden can become a fascinating hobby, and it's so easy! By just providing food, water, and shelter, you can transform your outdoor space into a haven for a diverse array of avian visitors. Here we'll explore various techniques and tips on how to attract birds to your garden, bringing you closer to nature and enhancing your gardening experience.

1. Food is the key

One of the primary factors that attract birds to a garden is high-quality bird food. Birds are constantly on the lookout for reliable food sources, especially during times when natural food may be scarce. By providing a consistent and readily available food supply in your garden, you become an attractive destination for hungry birds. Garden birds require a high-energy diet to support their metabolism and daily activities. Different bird species have specific dietary needs, but most rely on a combination of seed mixes, dried mealworms, suet for birds, and peanuts. By offering a diverse range of bird-friendly foods, you cater to a wider variety of species and provide the essential nutrients they need to thrive.

2. Use different bird feeders

Different bird species have unique feeding behaviours and preferences. By offering a range of feeders, you can attract a greater diversity of birds to your garden. Some birds prefer perching while eating, while others favour feeding on the ground or hanging upside down. Having a variety of feeders caters to these preferences and increases the likelihood of attracting different species.

3. Water - a vital attraction

Just like us, birds need water for drinking and bathing and having a reliable source is a great way to attract birds to your garden. By adding a birdbath or a shallow dish filled with fresh water to your garden, you'll entice feathered visitors and other garden wildlife like hedgehogs. It is recommended to position the water source in a shaded area where birds can quickly spot potential predators. Ensure the water source is cleaned regularly and remove any ice formed in cold temperatures.

4. Provide Nesting Opportunities for Birds

Putting up a bird box in your garden or outdoor space is a simple yet impactful way to invite charming birds into your life. Nest boxes play a crucial role in supporting bird populations. By putting out one or several in your outdoor space, you create artificial nesting sites that offer numerous benefits for birds and conservation efforts. Bird boxes help compensate for the loss of natural nesting sites due to habitat destruction or urbanisation. Different birds have different preferences when it comes to their nest boxes. For example, robins prefer an open-hole nest box, while blue tits will happily nest in a box with a 26mm entrance hole. You can learn more in our Beginner's Guide to Putting up a Nest Box.

5. Grow bird-friendly plants

Transform your garden into a bird haven by incorporating a diverse selection of bird-friendly plants, trees, and shrubs. These additions will not only offer shelter and nesting sites but also serve as a natural food source. Opt for trees and shrubs with abundant berries, such as rowan, hawthorn, guelder rose, and holly, providing nourishment and protective cover. Plants that produce an abundance of seeds, such as teasels or sunflowers, are another excellent choice. Ivy and honeysuckle are highly sought-after by birds due to their dense foliage, fruits, and ability to attract insects—a true feast for our feathered friends. Consider introducing wildflowers into your garden to attract the insects that birds love to feed on. This strategy not only provides a source of food for birds but also adds stunning floral displays to your garden. By carefully selecting and planting these bird-friendly florae, you create an oasis that offers birds a thriving habitat while enhancing the beauty of your own outdoor space.