Attracting Birds into your garden

Encourage birds into your garden and they in turn will help reduce your pest problems.

The way you choose to plant and cultivate your garden can increase the number of birds which visit. To maximise the number of birds of your garden, ensure you have a good selection of native plants. Larger trees such as beech and oak are perfect, but if you have a smaller less established plot, try and use smaller native plants such as holly, hawthorne or silverbirch.

Cherry and crab apple trees will also fit the bill and provide a food source for birds.

If you have a wild area or unkept hedgerow, this will provide the perfect habitat for birds, in which they will nest and feed. Again hawthorn will be ideal as will privet and dog rose.

When planting, try using foxgloves, sunflowers, buddleia, fusia and coral bells as these will attract birds and will encourage them to feed on the bugs and insects, which cause problems throughout your garden.

Although some people believe you should only feed birds through winter months, others tend to feed them through the year. This is not a bad practice to follow as spring in particular can be a very vulnerable time for birds as freezing temperatures can make the search for food very challenging.

A bird table will add focal interest to your garden and will allow you to enjoy watching birds as they come to feed. Remember, never put salted foods on your table as this will dehydrate the birds and always chop larger items of food to prevent chicks from chocking.

Different species of birds prefer different foods so offer a wide selection on your table such as sunflower seeds, unsalted peanuts and billet to encourage a wide selection of birds to visit your garden.