Birds are incredibly important to any garden, adding movement and interest as well as pest control and natural fertilizer. Here are a few ways to increase the bird life in your garden:
Grow plants with berries and seeds
Beach rose (Rosa rugosa) (left) and Guelder Rose Viburnum xanthocarpum (right) bear autumn fruit which looks beautiful and is attractive to blackbirds.
Teasels (right) are stunning architectural plants which add a natural look to a border. They offer a great source of food to seed-eating birds such as goldfinches.
Avoid chemical pest control.
Many garden birds will spend the day searching in the soil, in crevices in bark, and along the fresh foliage of plants for little insects to eat. If possible, leave greenfly and other pests untreated so that nature's pest control team can move in and help you out.
Provide food
At times when natural food is in short supply, supplementary food either sprinkled on the ground or on bird tables, or hanging in trees and bushes in feeders will help keep the birds in your garden well fed and healthy.
Robins (left) and chaffinch (above) will be attracted to seed and meal worms scattered on the ground.
Provide nest boxes
Building a bird box is easy. It can be great fun designing it to suit your colour scheme. Please see the downloadable instructions below for dimensions.
Grow trees and shrubs
Bushy trees and shrubs offer cover for birds as well as natural nesting sites. Ideally prune by hand once a year, avoiding any with nests in during spring and summer.
I prune this Berberis (centre) by hand in February each year. The long shoots offer protection to small birds as they come to feed on the path in front, while the stronger central branches offer a nest site.
Keep an eye out for nests. This one (above left) is a blackbird's nest, tucked behind a climbing rose. Four speckled blue eggs were laid and four chicks raised, hidden from view by the foliage.
Even a muddy puddle has value. This swallow (below) is collecting mud to build her nest.
Provide water
A shallow dish or birdbath topped up regularly with fresh water will provide birds with drinking water, and a place to wash and keep their feathers in good condition.
It is surprising how fast birds and other wildlife find you when you create a wildlife friendly garden. I have designed small town gardens in what appears to be relatively sterile surroundings, and within a few months have started to receive messages from the clients listing the birds which are appearing. Wherever you live: town or country; house with garden or apartment with window box, it is never too late to start.
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