Our wildlife guide explains how to attract birds to your garden in autumn and winter, plus easy crafts to make.<\/p>\n
Clean and stock up feeders<\/h3>\n ![\""GettyImages-560602943-28129-edb3efc"\"]( "\\"\"GettyImages-560602943-28129-edb3efc\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> A great tit, the largest of the UK tits, at a birdfeeder. It is a woodland bird which has readily adapted to man-made habitats to become a familiar garden visitor\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nSince bird flu<\/a> wiped out vast populations of birds, it\u2019s never been more important to clean and sterilise your bird feeders. When the weather begins to turn cold, clean your feeder before restocking it. Use rubber gloves, and a dedicated brush, and sterilise by soaking in a sterilising liquid such as Milton, following the instructions on the packet, before allowing to dry. Make sure it is completely dry before use.<\/p>\nRefill feeders with a mix of high-quality bird food<\/a>, including seeds, fat and mealworms to help provide birds with energy during the colder months.<\/p>\n More related content:<\/p>\n
- Garden bird guide: how to care for birds and what to feed different species<\/a><\/li>\n
- Our guide to robins: where to see, top facts and how to attract robins to your garden<\/a><\/li>\n
- Britain\u2019s best winter wildlife spectacles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>
![\""Robin\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/02\/Singing-robin-01386c4.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Singing-robin\"\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Sow green manures<\/h3>\n
Sow \u2018green manures\u2019, such as scorpion weed (Phacelia Tanacetifolia<\/em>), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum<\/em>) or red clover (Trifolium pratense<\/em>), into soils. These fast-germinating plants smother weeds as well as improving the soil, which will benefit your garden and the visiting wildlife. If you plant them in time for them to flower, it will successfully feed bees and other pollinators with their nectar, and the later seeds will also provide birds with food during the \u201chungry gap\u201d in late winter.<\/p>\n ![\""Purple\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Essex red clover (Trifolium pratense<\/em>) overwinters well in the garden, keeping the soil structure and smothering weeds.\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nAdditionally, autumn is a fantastic time to plant bulbs that will flower in time to feed the very first emerging pollinators in the spring. Check out our guide to\u00a0spring bulbs to plant in autumn for bees and butterflies<\/a>.<\/p>\n ![\""Grape\"]( "\\"\"Grape\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) and bumble bee in the spring garden. \/Credit: Dasha Kalinkova\/Getty Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nCreate a wildflower patch<\/strong><\/h3>\n ![\""Common\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Sow wildflower meadows ready for spring to feed insects and encourage birds to your garden\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nWildflower meadows can also be sown now, ready for the next spring. These can include plants like bird\u2019s foot trefoil, field scabious, ox-eye daisy and red clover. These meadows will feed insects, which in turn will feed garden birds.<\/p>\n You might also like:<\/p>\n
- A beginner\u2019s guide to native British wildflowers<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best wildflower meadow walks in Britain<\/a><\/li>\n
- Meadow guide: where to see and best wildflowers to plant<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Separate perennial flowers<\/h3>\n ![\""Crane\"]( "\\"\"Crane\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Summer flowering blue Geranium flowers also known as Crane\u2019s-bill can easily be split\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nAfter flowering, it is useful to divide up the perennials such as hardy geraniums, heleniums, phlox and primulas. By spreading them out or giving them to friends and family, this creates new feeding places for nature.<\/p>\n
- How to propagate herbs and make pebble labels<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Leave seedheads on your plants<\/h3>\n ![\""Gold\"]( "\\"\"adult-goldfinch-on-seedhead\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Adult goldfinch (Carduelis carduleis) feeding on teasel (Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nBy leaving seedheads to form rather than deadheading, this will feed birds and other wildlife during the autumn and winter months. After the birds return to your garden once the weather grows colder, this harvest will hugely benefit them.<\/p>\n
Create a pond or birdbath<\/h3>\n ![\""Garden-Pond-d761d2a"\"]( "\\"\"Garden-Pond-d761d2a\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Birds and other garden wildlife will benefit from a small pond\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nAs well as planting, the more practical jobs can be completed to prepare fro autumn or winter. Birds use ponds\/birdbaths for drinking and bathing throughout the year, and a wealth of other wildlife will also benefit. This does not have to be a massive project, as an upturned dustbin lid or old washing up bowl is just as useful.<\/p>\n
- How to make a wildlife pond<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Clean nest boxes<\/h3>\n ![\""Nest\"]( "\\"\"Nest-box\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Hang nest boxes for garden birds to seek sanctuary in the cold winter months. Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nWhen the breeding season is over, towards the end of September, it is very important to clean out the nest boxes in your garden. \u2013 particularly in the wake of bird flu<\/a>. Place the contents in your compost heap and use boiling water to clean out any parasites. After the box has dried out, replace the lid and hang it back up. Wrens and other small birds may use the box to keep warm during the winter. Remember to keep cleaning your bird feeders regularly.<\/p>\nWildlife-friendly craft projects<\/h2>\nMake a log bird feeder<\/a><\/h3>\nOn your next trip outside, keep an eye out for a nice sturdy log. With a few quick drills and screws, the\u00a0old tree part can become the feeding platform for garden birds. It\u2019s the perfect\u00a0project for getting you outside using your hands, with the added value of offering support for local wildlife.<\/p>\n
![\""320BBC20Countryfile20Log20Bird20Feeder20artwork2012C22C3_1-286eb11"\"]( "\\"\"320BBC20Countryfile20Log20Bird20Feeder20artwork2012C22C3_1-286eb11\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nHow to make fat balls for your garden birds<\/a><\/h3>\nMost of us have kitchen staples that are also loved by birds \u2013 find out how to use yours up and\u00a0make\u00a0fat balls for your garden birds.<\/p>\n
\n
![\""GettyImages-560602943-28129-edb3efc"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/GettyImages-560602943-28129-edb3efc.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"GettyImages-560602943-28129-edb3efc\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Since bird flu<\/a> wiped out vast populations of birds, it\u2019s never been more important to clean and sterilise your bird feeders. When the weather begins to turn cold, clean your feeder before restocking it. Use rubber gloves, and a dedicated brush, and sterilise by soaking in a sterilising liquid such as Milton, following the instructions on the packet, before allowing to dry. Make sure it is completely dry before use.<\/p>\n Refill feeders with a mix of high-quality bird food<\/a>, including seeds, fat and mealworms to help provide birds with energy during the colder months.<\/p>\n More related content:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Sow \u2018green manures\u2019, such as scorpion weed (Phacelia Tanacetifolia<\/em>), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum<\/em>) or red clover (Trifolium pratense<\/em>), into soils. These fast-germinating plants smother weeds as well as improving the soil, which will benefit your garden and the visiting wildlife. If you plant them in time for them to flower, it will successfully feed bees and other pollinators with their nectar, and the later seeds will also provide birds with food during the \u201chungry gap\u201d in late winter.<\/p>\n Additionally, autumn is a fantastic time to plant bulbs that will flower in time to feed the very first emerging pollinators in the spring. Check out our guide to\u00a0spring bulbs to plant in autumn for bees and butterflies<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wildflower meadows can also be sown now, ready for the next spring. These can include plants like bird\u2019s foot trefoil, field scabious, ox-eye daisy and red clover. These meadows will feed insects, which in turn will feed garden birds.<\/p>\n You might also like:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> After flowering, it is useful to divide up the perennials such as hardy geraniums, heleniums, phlox and primulas. By spreading them out or giving them to friends and family, this creates new feeding places for nature.<\/p>\n By leaving seedheads to form rather than deadheading, this will feed birds and other wildlife during the autumn and winter months. After the birds return to your garden once the weather grows colder, this harvest will hugely benefit them.<\/p>\n As well as planting, the more practical jobs can be completed to prepare fro autumn or winter. Birds use ponds\/birdbaths for drinking and bathing throughout the year, and a wealth of other wildlife will also benefit. This does not have to be a massive project, as an upturned dustbin lid or old washing up bowl is just as useful.<\/p>\n When the breeding season is over, towards the end of September, it is very important to clean out the nest boxes in your garden. \u2013 particularly in the wake of bird flu<\/a>. Place the contents in your compost heap and use boiling water to clean out any parasites. After the box has dried out, replace the lid and hang it back up. Wrens and other small birds may use the box to keep warm during the winter. Remember to keep cleaning your bird feeders regularly.<\/p>\n On your next trip outside, keep an eye out for a nice sturdy log. With a few quick drills and screws, the\u00a0old tree part can become the feeding platform for garden birds. It\u2019s the perfect\u00a0project for getting you outside using your hands, with the added value of offering support for local wildlife.<\/p>\n Most of us have kitchen staples that are also loved by birds \u2013 find out how to use yours up and\u00a0make\u00a0fat balls for your garden birds.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Sow green manures<\/h3>\n
![\""Purple\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/11\/GettyImages-1403036127-61636ea.jpg?quality=90&resize=551%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""Grape\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2021\/09\/GettyImages-474036424-0678447.jpg?quality=90&resize=596%2C413"\" "\\"\"Grape\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Create a wildflower patch<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""Common\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/wildflower-meadow-b3e69eb.jpg?quality=90&resize=475%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Separate perennial flowers<\/h3>\n
![\""Crane\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/crane-bills-5d7348a.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Crane\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Leave seedheads on your plants<\/h3>\n
![\""Gold\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/01\/adult-goldfinch-on-seedhead-7ded8d6.jpg?quality=90&resize=275%2C413"\" "\\"\"adult-goldfinch-on-seedhead\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Create a pond or birdbath<\/h3>\n
![\""Garden-Pond-d761d2a"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/Garden-Pond-d761d2a.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Garden-Pond-d761d2a\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Clean nest boxes<\/h3>\n
![\""Nest\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/12\/Nest-box-9acd07b.jpg?quality=90&resize=274%2C413"\" "\\"\"Nest-box\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Wildlife-friendly craft projects<\/h2>\n
Make a log bird feeder<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\""320BBC20Countryfile20Log20Bird20Feeder20artwork2012C22C3_1-286eb11"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/320BBC20Countryfile20Log20Bird20Feeder20artwork2012C22C3_1-286eb11.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C349"\" "\\"\"320BBC20Countryfile20Log20Bird20Feeder20artwork2012C22C3_1-286eb11\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nHow to make fat balls for your garden birds<\/a><\/h3>\n