Bird watch

As summer comes to an end, we’re all being encouraged to make our gardens and outdoor spaces more bird friendly.

The experts from Gardeningexpress.co.uk have shared the best ways to turn your outdoor space into a paradise for birds...

Shrubs and hedges

Every bird needs a place that they can call home and many varieties love snuggling in a shrub, hedge, and tree that has sturdy branches. Different varieties of birds all build their nests differently.

Whilst different preferences are common, all birds need structure and cover to start building. Having cover is especially important, to protect birds and their babies.

Flowers

Planted shrubs that flower with nectar-rich blooms are great for bringing insects into the garden for birds to nibble on during the spring and summer months. Sunflowers are also a top choice for birds, due to their large seed heads.

The seeds provide oil-rich nourishment particularly for finches, long-tailed tits, and nuthatches.

Boxes

Having shrubbery in your garden can provide a great place for birds to hide away from predators and build their nests. However, this isn’t possible during seasonal leaf sheds or in smaller gardens due to space constraints. Wooden bird boxes will provide shelter when there is nothing else available. Come spring and summer, the boxes will become a brilliant breeding ground and place to rear babies.

Berries

Berries are particularly important when the temperature drops, as they help birds build up their fat reserves. Attractive shrubs like cotoneaster, pyracantha and berberis are especially good for a wide range of birds.

Native berry-bearing species like holly, hawthorn, honeysuckle, and ivy are easy to look after and will feed birds during their most difficult food gathering months.

Feeders

Birds are creatures of habit, so once you start to put food out you will gain some regular garden guests. To help the creatures maintain a balanced diet, leave fat blocks, and pre-made bird mixes out for them.

They are also partial to kitchen titbits, like cheese, bacon rind and fruit. It is important to remove any unwanted food from the garden after the birds have had their dinner, as it could attract pests.