What birds can you see in your garden this December?
In December Ivy fruits are ripening. Winter thrushes, such as Blackbirds and Redwings, will be attracted to this climbing plant. Therefore, leaving Ivy to grow in your garden will mean that birds can feed and nest, and even insects have somewhere to hibernate.
Redwing
Blackbird
Tit flocks are now beginning to separate, so you will be seeing smaller numbers of these charming, curious birds. But more likely you will start to see them more regularly as they begin to establish territories for the next breeding season. Some Goldfinch flocks will travel south for the winter, so you be seeing more of these colourful finches around the seed rich heads of plants like teasels or trees such as birch or alder.
Goldfinch
If we see a cold snap and a flurry of snow, ground feeding species such as Robins and Dunnocks will need a helping hand as they can no longer access the worms and invertebrates in the soil which they rely on. Halved apples and peanuts make for an ideal substitute for wild food.
Robin
Please avoid putting oily Christmas leftovers out for the birds, particularly turkey, as this can be very harmful for birds and their feathers.
What to Feed
- If you are new to feeding birds, you can choose a ‘year round’ bird food. This is suitable for all seasons and all popular garden birds. Peckish Complete Seed & Nut Mix has 12 varieties of high energy seeds and nuts and will attract a wide range of birds
- If you are keen to attract a specific type of bird, there are specific foods available. For example, a Robin mix blended with mealworms, naked oats and sunflowers hearts that are small and ideal for a Robin’s beak
How to Feed
- You will know how much food to put out based on how much is left. If the food is taking days to be eaten, simply reduce the amount you put out
- Use several feeding stations to reduce the amount of birds feeding in one spot
- If you use a feeding table, make sure to keep it clean
- Use a ground feeding tray if you prefer to place food on the ground . Just remember to remove any leftover food before nightfall to prevent attracting unwanted visitors
- Avoid putting feeders under garden features where birds may perch or roost
