How to look after the birds in your garden this winter – and the foods you should be putting out

As temperatures drop, people are being encouraged to give garden birds a helping hand by putting out the right food and providing somewhere safe for them to shelter.

The colder months can be particularly challenging for birds, with natural food supplies becoming harder to find and fewer daylight hours available for feeding.

But a few simple changes in the garden could make a real difference, helping popular visitors such as robins, blue tits, blackbirds, goldfinches and sparrows get the energy they need to survive the winter.

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), November marks the return of the full range of recommended bird foods, including seeds and peanuts, which can be offered until the end of April.

The charity says the risk of trichomonosis, a potentially deadly disease which can spread between birds at feeding sites, is lower during the colder months.

What should you feed garden birds this winter?

Different birds enjoy different foods, so offering a variety can help attract a wider range of feathered visitors.

The RSPB recommends the following winter favourites:

• Sunflower hearts: Rich in oil and protein, these are particularly popular with tits, finches and sparrows.
• Peanuts: A valuable source of protein and fat, enjoyed by tits, finches, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Always use good-quality peanuts in a suitable feeder.
• Mealworms: A great source of protein and a favourite with robins, blackbirds, wrens and starlings.
• Suet balls and cakes: Packed with energy-giving fat, these can help birds maintain their energy levels during cold weather.
• Nyjer seeds: Particularly attractive to goldfinches, greenfinches and siskins.
• Mixed bird seed: A convenient way to cater for several different garden species.

Robins and blackbirds can also enjoy small amounts of bruised apples and pears, while berries from plants such as holly, ivy and rowan provide a valuable natural food source.

The RSPB says food should be offered in small quantities, with uneaten supplies cleared away regularly to prevent them becoming contaminated.

Keeping bird feeders clean is just as important

While feeding birds can be beneficial, it is important to make sure food is provided safely.

Bird feeders can become breeding grounds for bacteria and disease if food, droppings and debris are allowed to build up.

The RSPB recommends cleaning feeders at least once a week and moving them to different positions after cleaning, where possible.

Old food should be removed before fresh supplies are added, and gardeners are advised to avoid traditional flat bird tables because disease can spread more easily on these surfaces.

Food should be kept dry and should not be allowed to accumulate underneath feeders.

Peanuts should be placed in appropriate mesh feeders rather than offered whole on open surfaces, while fat balls and other suet products should always be removed from nylon netting before being put outside, as birds can become trapped.

Don't forget to provide fresh water

Food is only part of the equation when it comes to helping garden birds.

Fresh water is essential for drinking and bathing, but during freezing weather, natural supplies can become difficult to access.

A shallow bird bath or plant saucer can provide a useful source of water.

The RSPB recommends changing water daily and cleaning bird baths regularly to reduce the risk of disease spreading.

If temperatures fall below freezing, check regularly that the water has not iced over. Warm water can be used to gently defrost a frozen bird bath.

How to make your garden a safe place for birds

As well as providing food and water, gardeners can help by making their outdoor spaces more welcoming.

Dense hedges and shrubs offer valuable protection from harsh winds and predators, while plants such as holly, ivy and hawthorn can provide both shelter and natural food.

Nest boxes can also offer birds somewhere to roost during particularly cold nights.

Where possible, feeders should be positioned high enough to keep them out of reach of cats, while still allowing birds to spot approaching predators.

It is also worth spreading feeding points around the garden to reduce competition between different species.

With a little preparation, even a small garden, balcony or outdoor space can become an important refuge for wildlife.

And with the right food, clean water and somewhere sheltered to rest, gardeners could find themselves welcoming plenty of familiar feathered faces throughout the winter.