During cold spells, you'll probably find that more birds come to take refuge in your garden. Especially if you provide them with food and water. And you may be lucky enough to see some new species. Thank them for the permanent show they put on by helping them get through the winter!
Inviting birds into your home
Birdwatching is a fascinating spectacle. You don't have to live in the countryside or have a huge garden to enjoy it. Even in the city, in a tiny garden or on a terrace, or even on your balcony, you can attract birds by giving them something to eat and drink.
In winter, hungry birds often overcome their fear of humans and expand their foraging area. A welcoming environment will enable them to satisfy their vital needs: eating, drinking, sheltering and nesting. So rethink the layout of your outdoor space to meet these needs, and include plants that will attract and feed them.
- Give birds a place to roost
As well as food, birds also need shelter. In the garden, thick hedges or ivy-covered walls provide comfortable shelter. In the city, you can install a nesting box on a balcony for winter shelter. Just make sure it's out of reach of cats, and keep it clean.
- Give them water to drink and bathe in
Even in a small space like a terrace or balcony, you can provide a small drinking trough for your winged friends. They need drinking water and a place to preen their feathers, so a "bath" is a good idea.
- Install an insect shelter.
Anything that attracts more insects will be good news for insect-eating birds. They'll stop for a meal in your garden. - Provide nesting boxes
When spring arrives, birds are looking for a place to nest. Why not install one of Garden ID's decorative nesting boxes? They'll look great!
- Keep a pair of binoculars handy
The more you learn about the birds that visit your garden, the better equipped you'll be to know exactly what they need to survive the harsh winter season.
Feeding birds in winter
Birds need water not only to drink, but also to clean themselves and sometimes to build their nests. For this reason, the presence of a watering hole in your garden or on your terrace will undoubtedly attract bird species that would not otherwise come. The easiest way to do this is to install a watering hole that doubles as a bathing place.
- Give pure water only
Give only pure water, without any additives (salt, oil or other). Never add antifreeze to the water, nor glycerine or other fats, which can stain feathers and cause hypothermia. - Change the water regularly
Pour lukewarm water twice a day when it's freezing. When it's very cold, do this at regular times so that the birds get into the habit of coming to drink the water before it freezes. Change the water to eliminate waste and avoid any risk of contamination. - Choose shallow troughs
Place water in shallow, sturdy, easy-to-clean saucers. With small rims (less than 10 cm) and a gentle slope. The water should be no more than 5 cm deep.
- Place a ball in the bath
When it's freezing, place a small ball (such as a ping-pong ball) in your bird bath. It will float to the surface and help the water freeze more slowly.
- In a secure area
Position your watering hole so that the birds feel safe. Preferably at ground level, provided that visibility is good and the birds can spot potential dangers nearby. You can also hang the waterer or place it on a windowsill. Test several locations and see what your guests like best.
Feeding birds well in winter
Even in mild winters, it's worth helping birds, as their natural food resources (seeds, berries, etc.) tend to diminish.
- Feed regularly
Birds need a regular supply of food. Fill feeders twice a day when the weather is really bad. Stick to a regular feeding time, so that the birds get used to coming to your garden. Avoid putting out too much food at once, and distribute it gradually to prevent it from rotting. - Don't forget hygiene!
Regularly clean the feeders and surrounding area to remove droppings and rotten feed to prevent disease transmission. - Plant berry bushes
Bushes and shrubs such as malus, pyracantha, cotoneaster, mountain ash and honeysuckle produce berries in winter. Treats much appreciated by passing birds!
- A variety of healthy foods
Avoid grease balls made of plastic mesh. They're nonsense for the environment and can be dangerous for birds (who can get entangled in them). Instead, prepare a mix of bird seeds, nuts, grains and fats to satisfy the needs of as wide a range of species as possible. You can also offer live foods (such as mealworms), which are highly nutritious during the cold months. Or chop up overripe fruit or damaged apples. On the other hand, avoid salty foods, which can cause dehydration. Similarly, it's best to avoid white bread, which has little nutritional value and won't give your birds the energy they need. Crumbled wholemeal bread is acceptable. - Multiply feeding sites
Place feeders high up for arboreal species (such as chickadees) and place food on the ground for sparrows, finches, thrushes and blackbirds. To avoid contact with damp ground, place food on a support (board or other).