How to attract birds to your garden

Putting out birdfood will help birds in your garden. Finches, tits and sparrows enjoy seeds and nuts, especially sunflower seeds, while thrushes will go for windfall apples, and many species enjoy fat-balls and suet-based foods. Always buy good quality birdfood. Make sure feeders and bird tables are placed somewhere safe from cats, not right next to dense bushes but close enough that the birds can easily retreat there. It is really important to keep feeding areas clean. Make sure you can see the feeders from indoors to get the most pleasure from them!

Birds like a drink and a bathe, too. A birdbath is ideal, but an upturned dustbin lid that is watertight will work well. Basically, it needs to be wide and shallow. Keep it clean, and top it up daily in hot weather. During frosty weather, pour warm water onto any ice that forms. Again, siting is crucial, as birds are very vulnerable when bathing.