It is estimated that approximately half a million people will participate in this year’s RSPB Birdwatch which takes place over the weekend of 30th/31st January. Participants are expected to make a note of the feathered visitors flying into the garden for an hour, sometime over the weekend, and then send the results on to the RSPB. Last year’s top visitors were house sparrows, starlings and blackbirds.
It may sound obvious but if you are keen to attract birds to the garden then the easiest way to do this is by putting out food. There are various styles, shapes and sizes of bird feeders you can buy. At this time of year, birds need high energy foods like suet blocks, fat balls and peanuts. If you place loose peanuts on the bird table then make sure you crush them with a rolling pin first as they can be on the large side for our smallest birds. Ideally, they should be placed in a bird feeder which is specific for peanuts. Make sure you leave water out too. If temperatures fall below freezing then you will have to break ice on ponds and bird baths.
Once you start feeding the birds, you may notice that they stay to nest and bring up their young, particularly if your garden has plenty of trees, shrubs and ground cover like ivy. Now is the time to clean out any old nest boxes and make sure they are securely fixed in place. It will not be long before birds are looking around for suitable places as nesting sites.