Encouraging birds to your Winter Garden
While we are still able to enjoy the previous work we put into our gardens and we are doing a bit of preparation for winter and next year, let’s think about creating a friendly habitat for wild birds so we can enjoy their colour and antics throughout the winter.
There are loads of ways to attract birds to your garden like providing native plants safe places for them to live. Here are a few tips for encouraging birds to your garden.
First and most importantly I think, is to make sure you have water. A bird bath works great and is easy. Change it every few days so it’s clean and remember in the winter to defrost it so it’s accessible. I pour a bit of boiling water on the frozen bit but never leave it hot. The water also needs to be placed about three metres from shrubs or places cats and predators can hide.
Native plants are a great attractant all year providing seeds, nuts and berries.
Insects are the main source of food for lots of birds being full of juicy protein and fat! Try not to use insecticides in your garden. If you can handle a few imperfections, in time, there should be a balance of birds and hoverflies eating the unwanted.
Dead trees and logs are a great source of insects and hollow trees can act as shelter.
Bird houses that have ventilation and drainage can also add decoration to your garden while providing shelter. Good, dense shrubs and hedges are great shelter, better if they are native.
Food, of course. Place it where you can see from your windows. Store your seed in a cool dry place away from rodents, maybe in a glass jar or metal can. Foods can include peanuts, seeds including Nyger sunflower, fat balls and mealworms. Bread is not great for birds. Here at the Pavilion we have a variety of different food types and feeders to satisfy most birds AND garden owners! We have a terrific little feeder that can be placed on the window to bring those birds right up to you. To encourage the smaller varieties, we have a robin feeder that can fit only the little birds.
Lawn has little value for birds and wildlife. If you feel like reducing mowing and feeding, consider reducing the size of your lawn.
Doing some or all of this easy tips will encourage birds into your garden giving interest and entertainment throughout the winter. Enjoy!
See you soon :)
