Feed them right

Bird seed mixes - Higher quality mixes have a higher proportion of nuts and seeds, rather than cereals, and smaller seed mixes are ideal for attracting smaller birds such as finches, house sparrows, dunnocks etc.

Black sunflower seeds - This high energy food source is a favourite of greenfinches and tits.

Peanuts - Good quality peanuts are great for attracting tits, woodpeckers, finches, sparrows etc - remember that mixes that contain whole nuts are only suitable for the winter.

Fat balls / Fat cakes - Perfect for winter, you can use scraps such as porridge oats and cheese mixed with melted lard or suet.

Pick the right plants

Having trees in the garden is a sure way to attract birds, especially fruit trees, but shrubs and hedges are good alternatives. Shrubs that provide fruits, berries and seeds are great for birds to feed on and leaves on bushes catch water for birds to drink from. Many birds will happily nest in dense shrubs as they provide shelter and shade.

Deter the hunters

Cats and renowned for hunting and killing our garden birds. Try to deter cats from your garden by planting herbs such as lavender and rosemary, that are known to often deter cats, and install flexible garden fence and wall strips to prevent cats from climbing your walls and fences. One of the most effective methods which will prevent cats from entering your garden is using Ultrasonic Cat Deterrents such as CATWatch; the RSPB approved ultrasonic cat deterrent to keep cats away from the garden.

Foxes are also known to hunt and kill birds and they will be attracted to your fruit hedges and trees. Make sure that your fencing has no holes and that there is as limited access as possible for foxes to enter your garden. FOXWatch can also be used, an effective Ultrasonic deterrent that will rid your garden of foxes.

How to attract feathered friends to your garden

Sarah Moloney

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