SPOTLIGHT ON...

KEEPING GARDEN BIRDS WELL FED

AT this time of year, the leaves are all down, which means less food for garden birds. Insects that feed on leaves are fed on by birds, and when one goes so does the other.

Birds need proper food and fresh water. Refill the bird bath every couple of days and put out bird food in the morning, just enough to be eaten by the end of the day. Lavish supplies tend to be eaten by grey squirrels, and even adventurous rats, and neither deserves encouragement.

Scatter some bird food on the lawn for ground feeders such as blackbirds, but make sure it is in the centre of the lawn so they can spot any approaching cats. Cylindrical wire feeders can contain peanuts for acrobats such as tits and greenfinches, and mixed seed for birds such as robins.

Balls of fat are good too. Take off the outer plastic netting and drop several into a wire cylinder – the birds do not then become entangled in the netting and can get at it more easily. Suspend feeders from tree branches or special stands that push into soft earth.

Goldfinches love nyjer seed, which is tiny and black and best dispensed via a special plastic cylinder with holes that are small enough to hold on to the seeds, but large enough to release them when encouraged by a sharp beak.

Store all your bird feed in a rodent– proof container with a secure lid – a metal dustbin is ideal.

Take just a little trouble on the birds’ behalf and your garden will be a far livelier place during the winter than it would without their presence.

Wire feeders are good for birds like tits and robins

Scatter seed for groundfeeders like blackbirds