Make sure you feed the birds

You’ll soon attract lots of feathered friends to your plot

During autumn there’s usually plenty of natural food around for birds in the garden in the form of seeds, insects and berries on trees. As the weather gradually gets cooler and natural food is used up, it’s a good idea to start feeding the birds to make sure they’ve a regular supply of nutritious food. It’s during the cold winter months when the days are short and the nights long that birds really benefit from being fed, especially as they use a great deal of energy just keeping warm. Different species of birds eat different types of foods, so it’s important to put out a selection of food to cater for their needs. Sparrows and finches eat mainly seeds, the tit family like a high fat diet, such as peanuts and fat balls, and robins, thrushes and blackbirds like fruit and worms. Many birds, such as the tiny wren, also eat insects, but when these are in short supply they’ll feed on mealworms, chopped suet and sunflower hearts.

During the winter it’s important to feed on a regular basis. Feeders should be topped up as needed and if you use a bird table, feed daily, or better still morning or late afternoon. Once word gets around, you’ll soon have all sorts of birds visiting your garden!