Birds are often overlooked when planning a vegetable garden, but they play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Many species serve as natural pest control, keeping crop-eating insects and even rodents in check. With the right care, you can attract a wide variety of birds to your garden, providing them with food and shelter while benefiting from their natural services.
In my own Scottish garden, I’ve become familiar with several common bird species such as sparrows, tits, robins, and blackbirds, all of which are frequent visitors. On rare occasions, I’ve been treated to sightings of a woodpecker or even a sparrowhawk, offering thrilling moments as they engage in the dramatic cycle of predator and prey. These encounters, along with the satisfaction of knowing that my garden’s “pest control squad” is hard at work, wouldn’t be possible without providing proper food and habitat.
Feeding Birds in Winter
Many gardeners choose to feed birds year-round, but I personally prefer to offer food from late autumn to early spring. This not only reduces the commercial production of bird food but also helps me keep costs down. With my garden birds consuming up to five fat balls a day during cold spells, feeding them can get expensive.
During winter, small birds benefit from high-fat foods like fat balls, suet cakes, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and mixed seeds. Fat balls, in particular, are ideal due to their high energy content, which helps birds survive the cold temperatures. However, avoid buying fat balls in nylon mesh bags, as they can entrap the birds’ delicate feet. Instead, purchase them in bulk for a more cost-effective option.
When spring arrives, gradually reduce the amount of food you provide. This allows birds to adjust and find natural food sources, which helps them transition from relying on feeders to foraging in the wild.
Plants that Attract Birds
While feeding birds in the winter is important, creating a bird-friendly garden year-round is essential. Plants that produce seeds, berries, and nectar will attract and support a variety of bird species, ensuring they have a reliable food source in all seasons. Invest in plants that provide habitat and food, and you’ll have a sustainable bird sanctuary right in your backyard.
Berry-bearing plants are especially attractive to birds. Red fruits like those found on holly, hawthorn, rowan, and roses are favorites. Cotoneaster, pyracantha, honeysuckle, and berberis also provide rich food sources. To protect your garden, net your raspberries, as birds may take them before you do.
In addition to food, birds need shelter. Dense shrubs and hedges, such as thorny brambles, hawthorn, and roses, offer safe places for small birds to hide from predators. Evergreen plants like ivy are ideal for providing secluded nesting spots.
If you’re hoping to attract birds of prey, a tall tree or perch will serve as a lookout post. Although these birds are harder to draw in, having a variety of smaller birds in your garden can make it an appealing hunting ground.
It’s important to wait until late winter before clearing dead flower heads and stems or pruning berry-producing plants. This leaves food and shelter for birds during the lean winter months.
One standout plant for attracting birds is teasel. Not only does it produce seeds that birds like finches enjoy, but its standing stems also provide shelter for insects, which in turn become food for birds in the following season. The unique seedheads are also visually striking when covered in frost, making it a beautiful addition to any garden.
Feeding Birds with Scraps
You can also reduce the need for store-bought bird food by offering your kitchen scraps. Birds enjoy leftovers like cooked rice, mild cheese, cold cooked potatoes, and uncooked pastry. Bruised apples or pears can be placed on a bird table or the ground, cut into chunks for easy access.
While bread isn’t particularly nutritious for birds, it can be offered in small amounts alongside other more nourishing foods. Be sure to break it into small pieces to prevent choking hazards, particularly during the breeding season when chicks may be vulnerable. Always ensure that water is available, especially in warmer months.
High-energy fats such as suet or lard can be offered, but avoid using fat from cooking, as it can coat the birds’ feathers and reduce their insulation, affecting their ability to stay warm.
By providing natural food sources and creating a welcoming habitat, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of garden birds throughout the year. What are your favorite ways to feed wild birds? Share your tips in the comments!