How to attract birds to your Big Garden Birdwatch

There are lots of different bird foods available, including mixes for bird feeders and bird tables, as well as for ground feeding. Winter is a time when natural food shortages could occur and these foods can help the birds out during this time.

• Blackbirds mostly feed on the ground and will eat a broad range of foods, from fatty nibbles to mealworms.
• Blue Tits and Great Tits use both a feeder and a bird table, eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts.
• Finches, including Chaffinches and Greenfinches, also use both a feeder and a bird table, and they love sunflower hearts. But don't forget to clean them weekly to avoid spreading disease.
• Look for good quality bird food – those that don’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas and beans that birds rarely eat. You’ll find some great mixes in our shop.
• You can put out leftovers such as dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears. Don’t use anything mouldy or salty though, and if you have a dog don’t put out dried fruit – vine fruits such as raisins can be toxic to them.

You can put your bird feeder in all sorts of places, but aim for somewhere:

• Quiet – where birds won't be disturbed.
• Safe – not too close to bushes where predators could hide in wait, but close enough to cover that birds can easily dart to and from. Birds like to have a view all around them while feeding.
• Sheltered from harsh winds.

Wherever you place your feeder, make sure you can see it when you’re indoors so you can get the most pleasure from it! You can even get a feeder that sticks to your window.

Bear in mind, it can take a little bit of time for the birds to get used to a new feeder, so don’t be disappointed if not many birds visit at first.  You might also consider including a feeder tray where possible to both save on wasted food, and allow more feathered friends a place to perch.

Birds like a drink too. 

It’s very important to keep bird feeders, tables and baths clean to stop a build-up of bacteria and viruses that can spread diseases and infections among garden birds.

• Clean your feeders every week.
• Wear gloves and use warm soapy water.
• Scrub feeders inside and out using a dedicated strong, long bristled brush. Do this outside in a bucket, not in your kitchen sink.
• Use a mild, non-toxic disinfectant.
• Make sure the feeder is thoroughly dry before refilling it with food.

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