All gardeners must leave out one item help smallest birds this winter
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There are a number of ways to help the birds this winter, but all gardeners should take extra care for even the smallest birds. Taking care to help garden wildlife this winter will make a huge difference and is surprisingly easy. One tip to help wrens, one of the most common breeding birds in the UK, is to put finely chopped bacon rind and grated cheese. Putting out food that is high in fat will help birds keep their energy and to help keep them warm during the coldest part of the year.
Help our feathered friends in the colder months by placing fat blocks in wire cages. Avoid balls in plastic nets as birds like woodpeckers can get their tongues trapped. You can make your own fat blocks by melting suet into moulds like coconut shells or logs with holes drilled in. Try different recipes to attract a variety of birds; peanut cakes for starlings, insect cakes for tits and berry cakes for finches.
While fat is crucial, also provide a grain mix or nuts to ensure a balanced diet. Sparrows, finches and nuthatches will relish prising the seeds out of sunflower heads. No-mess mixes may be pricier but the inclusion of de-husked sunflower hearts means less waste. Cheaper mixes are often bulked out with lentils.
Use wire mesh feeders for peanuts and seed feeders for other seeds. Special feeders are needed for tiny niger seeds, adored by goldfinches. Feed placed on a wire mesh just off the ground will attract ground-feeding birds like robins and dunnocks. Thrushes and blackbirds prefer fruit. Scatter overripe apples, raisins and song-bird mixes on the ground for them. Consider planting berrying and fruiting trees and shrubs such as Malus, Cotoneaster and Pyracantha to fill gaps.
