Many people speak of the joys of birdsong in the spring months, but it should not be overlooked how much joy that some vibrant birdlife can bring the winter too! The cheerful chirps and energetic swoops of wild birds can give everyone a lovely spring in their step even in the depths of midwinter. Furthermore, through this colder and darker time of the year, it is even more crucial that you play your part in helping the birdlife thrive.
In the spring and the summer, when bugs abound, birds tend to do well in such conditions without needing as much of a helping hand. However, in the winter weather, when there will not be as many bugs to feed on in the air due to drops in temperature and harsher weather, our lovely little bird friends can do with a little push in the right direction to see them through the chillier months.
Get yourself a seed feeder…
By having a feeder in your garden, you are going to be telling the birds in the area that your home is the place to be to get a little refuel. Set one up in an easily accessible area and you should see that the birds will be happy to come to your haven to receive a bit of a yummy helping hand. This will be all the more important for birds as we get into the colder weeks of the year, when insect life is not thriving as it would be in the spring and summer.
And stock it up (then repeat!)
It is, of course, not going to do much of a great job if you have the feeders ready but don’t have anything in them to feed the birds with! Your feeder is going to need to be stocked and (hopefully!) re-stocked with that all important bird food. High quality seeds, fat and mealworms will be extremely useful for little birds, giving them the extra energy to make it through the winter and thrive while they are at it!
Fresh water supplies
If things do get really cold where you are, then you might find that the areas where birds normally drink are frozen over. As such, it can be really helpful to put out a regularly refreshed water source in the garden. Moving water features can be useful to this end. But then you might also just regularly replace some static water so that it does not get the chance to freeze over, as well as thawing the surface in the mornings with hot water.
Get rid of some leftovers
Usually leaving food out in the garden is not the best idea, as it can attract rats and other vermin. But the winter is one of the only times when this does not apply in the same way, as the colder weather usually means that rats will be less prevalent. Therefore, if you find yourself regularly having to throw away food, then think again! Birds will generally be more than happy to peck away at such foods as unsalted bacon, mild cheese, soaked dried fruit, small amounts of bread, cooked rice and nuts.
Clean out nest boxes
If you have had a nest box out for birds to use as they raise their families of chicks, then these should not just be left derelict during the colder months. Come autumn time, you should be looking to clear any left over feathers and bird droppings into the compost, and then boil the boxes to get rid of any parasites. These boxes can then be set up again out in the garden in time for winter. Although the birds will not be looking to nest there for the purpose of raising little ones, they may want to keep themselves warm by bedding down in the boxes when things get chilly.
Don’t cut off seed heads
By leaving on your seed heads, you will be giving birds another natural choice for food. Although you might not at first think that they have much purpose at this time of the year, seed heads can provide fuel for birds and other animals during the autumn and winter months. Once birds know that you have areas in your garden with these kinds of snacks to enjoy, they will be more likely to make your garden space their own.
Sowing seeds
There are also things that you can be doing looking ahead the warmer months again. By sowing seeds now, you will be able to create a wildflower meadow area in your garden come the spring. This is a job not to overlook in advance of the weather brightening up, as it might by then be too late to create a lush space for bugs and birds in which to thrive.