Care for birds

Different types of box will attract different species. Whilst most birds prefer a closed box with a small entrance hole, birds such as robins, wrens, blackbirds and song thrushes use an open fronted box. Some species such as swifts, swallows and house martins require a specialist box as they nest under eaves and gable ends of buildings.

Place your box in a shelter position on a tree or wall, facing north east to south east to avoid prevailing wet weather and the heat of the midday sun. Make sure your box is at least 2 meters off the ground and out of reach from predators.  

Clean out your box with warm soapy water once a year, 2-3 weeks after any birds have fledged. This will help to prevent disease and ensure that the box is ready for new occupants next year. 

If you decorate your box, make sure you use a water-based paint and not lead-based paints or creosote, as these are toxic to birds. If you need to replace part of your bird box, avoid pressure treated wood, which contain harmful preservatives and fungicides.

These type of feeder will attract a wide mix of birds including most species of tit, greenfinch, goldfinch, house and tree sparrow. Fill them with a general seed mix that includes energy rich sunflower seed or suet if you want to attract robins. 

Specialist hanging feeders

Niger seed feeders

These specialist feeders are designed to hold the the tiny niger seed and will attract goldfinches and siskins.

Peanut feeders

Peanuts are an ideal winter food and should only be provided in mesh feeder as whole peanuts pose a choking hazard. Suet pellets can also be used in a mesh feeder, either on their own or mixed with peanuts.

Fatball feeder

Fat balls are another great winder food source and can be brought or made from suet or lard mixed with seed. These should be hung in special fat ball feeders or can be smeared into coconut shells or hung on string.

A number of garden birds are primarily ground feeders. These include blackbirds, song thrushes, collared doves, robins and dunnocks. Robins particularly love live mealworms, which are high in fat and protein. All of these birds are best fed from a bird table - find out how to make your own below.

Chose a variety of pollinator and insect friendly plants for your garden to attract a natural food source for birds.

Also include a mixture of berry or fruit bearing shrubs or trees such as skimmia, pyracantha, euonymus, hawthorn, ivy, crabapple, rowan, holly and wild cherry. 

Avoid hanging feeders within easy reach of predators such as cats by ensuring that they are not too low, or within reach of branches or fences. 

Keep your feeders filled to encourage return visits and change feed regularly to prevent mould or staleness. Clean your feeders periodically and take care to also clear up discarded food on the ground to avoid spreading pests and disease.

It is also important to provide a fresh source of water for birds, especially in freezing conditions when ice forms over ponds, puddles and other water sources. Water can be provided in the form of a bird bath or a simple dish of water.

Don’t put out salty food or dry bread as this can be harmful for birds. Also avoid cooking fats as these stick to bird's feathers and harbour bacteria. To avoid food poisoning, make sure to only provide live mealworm unless they are dried, and don't put out whole peanuts as these are a choking hazard.