How to Attract Birds to Your Garden
There’s no exact science behind how to attract birds to your garden, but there are some staples to try. We know our feathered friends are searching for food, water and shelter, but what do you feed different birds?
At Outback Landscapes, we’ve compiled our guide on how to attract birds to your garden so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of your new visitors. As a bonus, you’ll help to conserve species while they keep pesky pests at bay and bring a whole new element of relaxation to your outdoor space
HOW TO ENCOURAGE BIRDS INTO YOUR GARDEN
Whether you’ve got luscious rambling lawns or a small paved courtyard, we’ve got some simple tips on how to encourage birds into your garden. Let’s break it down into the main staples birds need to survive.
FOOD
Providing heaps of food is the best way to create a bird-friendly garden. The more diverse your offering, the better the variety of birds you’ll entice. Of course, place the food somewhere safe. Birds won’t thank you if you scatter seed next to the cat’s favourite sunbathing spot!
Trees are a great choice if you have them, but free-standing feeding stations work perfectly in courtyard spaces. Even a small feeding table on your fence goes a long way to feeding hungry birds.
Mix foods up depending on the seasons. Provide high-fat foods, like suet balls, throughout the winter to give them the energy they need to survive the colder months. For the summer seasons, opt for high-protein foods to give birds an extra boost while they’re moulting.
The best summer bird foods:
Sunflower hearts/seeds
Soaked sultanas, currants and raisins
Peanuts, ensuring they’re in a suitable mesh feeder
Mealworms
Foods to avoid in summer:
Home-made fat balls. These can go rancid in hot weather
Bread. It can harm nestlings if fed to them by parents
The best winter bird foods:
Suet balls, whether shop-bought or homemade
Leftover scraps, such as cheese, rice and uncooked porridge oats
Fruits
Sunflower hearts/seeds
Foods to avoid in winter:
Cooked porridge oats. The mixture can solidify around their beak
Chocolate
Rotten foods. Ensure food is eaten and not left to rot, especially if you’re putting it out numerous times a day throughout winter
WATER
When thinking about how to attract birds to your garden, water is another necessity. Providing water for drinking and bathing is a sure-fire way to create a bird-friendly garden.
In the warmer months, birds will love a dish of fresh water to cool them down. In winter, try and keep a supply of water somewhere it won’t freeze over. With many natural watering holes covered in ice in the depths of winter, birds need your help more than you may realise.
It’s best to use a shallow dish, no more than 2 inches deep, and place it where the birdies can keep a watchful eye on potential predators.
SHELTER AND NESTING
Finally, think about how to encourage birds into your garden with different shelter options.
Nesting options provide essential shelter for a range of species. They mimic the enclosed spaces found naturally and birds will flock to a nesting box when looking to raise their young.
Another option is to plant bird-friendly shrubs, trees and plants. It’s a great way to provide natural protection for them, plus you get the enjoyment of watching them hopping and fluttering from branch to branch. Anything laden with berries in the summer is a big hit with birds.
SUMMARY
Our tips on how to attract birds to your garden are simple to implement in any outdoor space. From city courtyards to large lawns nestled in the countryside, you can enjoy the relaxation and benefits of birds in your garden.
At Outback Landscapes, our team are on hand to help you create the perfect outdoor space and advise on the best bird-friendly landscaping options. Contact us today to discuss your ideas and questions about creating your dream garden.
Tagged as: Gardening tips
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