6 Ways to Attract Birds to Your Garden
Enjoying the surrounding wildlife is the perfect way to pass the time and add some life and vibrancy to your garden.
There is a wide variety of bird species to spot in the UK, and you can attract these beautiful animals to your garden with a few simple tricks.
Stick with Atlas Sheds to walk through six tips for encouraging these winged friends to stick around your greenery.
1. Provide a Variety of Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are one of the quickest and most affordable ways to attract birds to your garden.
These can be placed on trees, hung along fences, or draped from a garden shed. Keep them away from dense foliage to prevent the birds from being ambushed by cats.
Some popular choices for bird feeders include:
- Seed feeders: These attract a wide range of birds, including finches and sparrows, and can be filled with a mix of millet, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn.
- Suet feeders: These feeders attract insect-eating birds like woodpeckers, wrens and nuthatches. This is beneficial during winter, and they are easy to refill and maintain.
- Peanut feeders: Woodpeckers, jays, and chickadees love peanut feeders. Ensure you choose unsalted peanuts that are free from additives.
- Ground feeders: Birds such as doves, sparrows, and juncos prefer to feed from the ground. Trays can be placed on the ground to attract these birds.
2. Offer Fresh Water Sources
Birds often search for water to drink and bathe in. By adding a birdbath or water fountain to your garden, you can expect to get a few small visitors.
Opt for foundations with moving water, as birds are attracted to the movement and sound of running water. This also ensures the water will stay clean from algae and mosquitoes.
3. Plant Native Flora
Planting native flora in your garden is one of the most effective ways to attract more birds to your garden.
These are plants that occur naturally in the region, having adapted to the climate, soil, and ecosystem. They offer birds the perfect food, such as berries, nectar, and insects.
Some plants, flowers, and shrubs to plant include:
- Oak trees
- Coneflowers
- Goldenrod
- Elderberry
- Birch trees
- Dogwood
4. Create Shelter and Nesting Sites
Birds are constantly on the hunt for new places to nest and shelter away from predators.
Plant dense shrubs like holly, blackthorn, or hawthorn in your garden to build natural shelters. Birds such as sparrows and robins use these for nesting. Evergreen trees like pines and spruces also provide shelter all year round.
If you want to add a feature to your garden, a birdhouse is the perfect option. These can be hung on fences, trees, or sheds and filled with birdseed or twigs and leaves.
5. Avoid Pesticides and Chemicals
Chemicals and pesticides are harmful to wildlife, especially birds. The presence of these in your garden can poison and even kill birds or their food supply.
Grow pest-repellant plants such as marigolds and use neem oil, which is safe for birds, as a natural alternative to deter pests.
Homemade sprays made from garlic, soap, and chilli peppers can also deter pests and protect garden birds from harm. However, treated seeds, which include harmful chemicals, should be avoided.
6. Offer Natural Food Sources
Birds visit many gardens with one motivation in mind; locating food sources.
Considering this, the best way to attract birds to your garden is to provide them with plenty of delicious snacks. Fruit trees, such as apples, cherries, and mulberries, attract a wide range of birds.
Nut-bearing trees, such as beech, hazel, and oaks, are also valuable food sources for birds, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and jays.
Choose Atlas Sheds for your Garden Sheds
At Atlas Sheds, we understand the importance of having a beautiful garden that you can enjoy all year round.
That’s why we offer a stunning selection of timber sheds designed to enhance the appeal and functionality of your space.
Browse our garden sheds today to upgrade your garden this summer.