| One of the critical questions I am often asked is: How can I, as a gardener, attract more birdlife to my gardens? What is the secret? The power to create a bird-friendly environment is in your hands. A few years ago, not long after I moved into Sandwich, my neighbour Edward told me that he had no success getting small birds into his garden. I found this funny because I had watched his garden and knew he enjoyed visits from perhaps fifteen different species of birds. But then this is the same Edward who informed me that year that his garden had no worms. It was a simple remedy for Edward’s garden: 1] I moved his feeders around the garden a bit, 2] I changed the feeding routine slightly, and finally, 3] I told him to introduce an area where the birds could have a drink and a bath if necessary. These simple changes can make a significant difference in attracting birdlife to your garden. Edward had all the ingredients needed for success, but they were not ideally located for him or the birds. The solution was to move the feeders into a line of vision for him, ensure that the right foods were in the suitable feeders and put out a small flat crockery dish with water and low to the ground but with plenty of uncluttered areas so that the bathers could see everything and feel secure. Edward has a fountain and pond trough in his garden, but this was and needs to be more straightforward for small birds to manage. Within the space of a week, Edward was thrilled with the results. Three-plus years later, Edward’s garden is a bustling hub of small birds. My garden, on the other hand, attracts more prominent species. However, between our two gardens, we have a diverse array of species visiting to feed, drink, bathe, gather, and generally hang out. The joy of witnessing this birdlife is truly inspiring. We do have visits from – house sparrows, robins, blue tit, dunnocks, wren, blackbirds, magpies, chaffinch, woodpigeons, feral pigeons, collared doves, crows, jackdaws, starlings, jays, siskins, kestrels, thrush, common chiffchaff, woodpecker, yellowhammer, bullfinch and nuthatch. That list is moderate. Of course, you’ll never see all of these species in the garden simultaneously, and we have to include seasons. But still. Down on Plot 17, l enjoy the visits to most of the species mentioned above, as well as long-tailed tits, barn owls, little owls, warblers, nightingale, pied wagtail, tree sparrow, coal tit, goldfinch and green finch too. Plus, on occasion, both on the allotment and in Edward’s garden, l see the local parakeets. From the introduction of not just the feeders and the watering dish but essentially the dead hedging, a practice of creating a barrier or boundary using dead branches and twigs, which attracts many, many different insect species, I have seen first-hand the bird numbers and variety of species jump. Plus, I can not deny that some of the flowers and herbs we planted, such as lavender, marigold, and thyme, have also attracted more insects in our area. This, in turn, has further encouraged birds to the plot. Sometimes, the foraging blackbird flying off into the skies with a slug or the thrush beating a snail onto a rock to crack the shell is not missed. I have seen many different species foraging in the dead hedge for insects. |
| It is easier than most people think to attract and encourage birds to your garden or green space. It requires a bit of thought. Different birds have different requirements. Also, considering the season and the weather is significant. Come the breeding and nesting season, when adults are foraging and feeding chicks, this too must be taken into account. For example, one blue-tit chick requires up to a hundred caterpillars a day, which also has a chain reaction. If you spray your plants to eliminate the caterpillars, you might be wiping out a nest of blue-tit chicks or killing off other species. So, thought is needed and adopting a kinder approach to insect prevention. Encouraging feeding birds in your garden also means encouraging nesting birds in your garden. The secret to your success is to find a balance to accommodate both premises. There are several ways, but principally, it comes down to Offering food, water, nesting, security and foraging areas, and that is mostly it, although you could expand upon that – as in: |
| Watering Facilities |
| Consider introducing a birdbath to your garden. The residents will use it as a bath and drinker. Water, as you may know, is essential for birds all through the year. They enjoy a drink and a gargler to help them wash down the seed you are offering. Keep your eyes on the bath so that water is always available, but equally, if it is dirty, it’s your responsibility to award hygiene to all your drinkers and feeders and clean and empty as appropriate. Also, don’t be surprised if you need to refresh and clean the bath frequently during summer. Consider having a tennis ball in the water during the winter and colder months. The ball will float on the water’s surface, preventing it from freezing completely and providing a small area for birds to drink and bathe. Another suggestion is placing a large rock in the centre of the bath to allow insects a drink, too. |
| Nesting |
| There are many different bird nesting boxes available today. If you are going to purchase boxes, make sure they are of good quality and well made, as poor quality can injure birds and, sometimes, fatally. So do your research thoroughly and find a reputable seller. If you are handy with wood, there are many perfect design templates available on the Internet. The other suggestion is not to supply boxes but to ensure adequate materials for the birds to design and create their own nest. I have found, over the years, that it is rare for birds to use any boxes l have bought, but if l am to provide materials for them to build their own, they will. The dead hedging down on the allotment is an excellent resource for many birds, and l often see species fly in empty-beaked and out with a beakful of soft nesting materials. If you provide nestboxes, check them at the end of the breeding season. Remove nesting materials from abandoned and empty boxes and clean the boxes with hot water to ensure they kill off any parasites. Perform any general maintenance that might be required and also, importantly, hang them back up correctly to prevent disasters from falling boxes with birds inside. If you have had no success with your nest boxes, don’t give up; sometimes, all that is needed is a change of location. |
| Security and a welcoming environment |
| When birds feel comfortable within their environment, they visit more often, and quite usually, they stay too. They will want to see your garden more often if they feel secure, safe, and free from predators. Birds need a wide vision range – up and down and a 360-degree spin around-to spot potential threats. Keep feeders and bathers away from low shrubbery, the favourite haunt of sit-and-wait predators. When birds know they are safe from cats, dogs, or wild bird predators, they can relax. But it’s also crucial to remember that they need an escape route if needed. This understanding and consideration for their needs will make your garden a more inviting and comforting place for them. As responsible gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts, it’s important to keep feeders, bathers, and boxes away from the house to prevent any accidents involving birds and windows. Birds, unfortunately, only see glass once it is too late. By taking this simple precaution, you can help protect our feathered friends. |
Earthly Comforts 
Our little makeshift birdfeeder attached to the balcony rail seems to be successful in attacting brds. We have a dish of water for the birds, as well. Also, birds make nests in our hanging plants and it is fun to watch when them go through their stages, especially when they learn how to fly.
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Marvellous stuff Eugenia, as they say every little bit helps to encourage 🙂 Birds are exceptionally adaptable 🙂
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😊
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