![\""Sean\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2021\/04\/Sean-McMenemy-Bird-Feeder-cdbe6b1.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Sean\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nBy providing food for birds in your garden, you can help ensure local species continue to thrive. When it comes to bird food, right now try filling one feeder with sunflower hearts and another with peanuts.<\/p>\n
We do this because diets vary greatly across different species. For example, sparrows and goldfinches enjoy seeds whereas woodpeckers aren\u2019t seed eaters at all \u2013 they prefer peanuts, fat, and even mealworms.<\/p>\n
While many birds will visit a seed feeder, they all have their preferences. Blue tits will seek out fat and suet, while great tits and robins opt for mealworms. Then again song birds such as blackbirds and thrushes prefer fruit.<\/p>\n
For our guide to the best bird feeders and their many types go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n And for a wealth of ideas for all kinds of feed to serve try here<\/a>.<\/p>\n A bird table attracts different types of bird to feeders. It\u2019s therefore essential to have both feeders (with a range of tasty treats) and tables in place in your garden so as to attract the greatest diversity of birds.<\/p>\n Blackbirds, robins and wrens prefer food that doesn\u2019t require them to hang from anything, preferring to stand on a flat surface, up high or at ground level.<\/p>\n Offer a wider range of quality bird food<\/a> set up at varying heights, such as ground, table and hanging feeders \u2013 known as \u2018tiered bird feeding\u2019 \u2013 will attract a higher diversity of species.<\/p>\n Worth noting that you should always break up peanuts if you\u2019re placing them on a table. Serving them \u2018neat\u2019 means they\u2019re not being broken up through the pecking action required by a feeder and so will be difficult for the smaller birds to consume.<\/p>\n For lots of bird table designs and options go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like the birds to stick around a little longer, offering up a\u00a0bird box is a great option for all, as no garden is too small for one.<\/p>\n Blue tits and house sparrows will flock to a bird box attached to the wall of a house. Simply make sure that you place it somewhere where there is low traffic from humans and pets and it\u2019s unlikely to be disturbed.<\/p>\n So while it might be tempting to place your bird box immediately outside your living room window or back door where you\u2019ll get maximum visibility, do be aware that the birds are smart enough to seek somewhere a little quieter.<\/p>\n For more on birdboxes take a look here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The trick to obtaining an annual repeat avian performance is consistency.<\/p>\n \u2022 Always ensure you have food and water in your garden. While it\u2019s not necessary to feed birds through summer, if you keep a little food out they\u2019ll be reminded that \u2013 when winter comes \u2013 there\u2019s a ready supply waiting for them right there.<\/p>\n \u2022 Always ensure it\u2019s in the same safe place. Don\u2019t move feeders and baths around or you\u2019re effectively \u2018resetting\u2019 that location as a new potential feeding spot.<\/p>\n \u2022 And always ensure your feeders and water supply are clean (and cleaned weekly). Feeders can spread infection and can cause harm to visiting birds. Keeping a clean feeder means you\u2019re doing your bit to protect them.<\/p>\n Caught the birdwatching bug? If you\u2019re looking for wonderful places to go birdwatching other than your back gardnen try here<\/a>.<\/p>\nBird tables<\/h3>\n
![\""Etsy\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-20-at-10.10.25-b45ab43.png?quality=90&resize=274%2C413"\" "\\"\"Etsy\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nBird houses and bird boxes<\/h3>\n
![\""B"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2021\/04\/Sean-McMenemy-Bird-Bird-Box-7b7f583.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Sean\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nHow to get birds to come back to your garden each year<\/h3>\n
![\""bird\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/Screenshot-2022-01-10-at-16.48.44-8713c68.png?quality=90&resize=410%2C413"\" "\\"\"bird\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n