As winter tightens its grip, our feathered friends face one of their most challenging seasons. Food is scarce, shelter is limited, and the cold can be relentless. By lending a hand during these tough months, you not only help birds survive but also create a welcoming environment for them when spring returns. Here’s how you can make a difference for birds in winter and prepare your garden for their needs come spring.
1. Offer Nutritious Winter Food
In winter, birds expend a lot of energy to stay warm, so providing high-energy foods can make a big difference. Stock your feeders with:
• Seeds: Sunflower seeds are a favorite for many birds.
• Fat Balls: Homemade or store-bought, these provide essential energy.
• Fruits: Apples, raisins, and other fruits can attract thrushes and blackbirds.
• Nuts: Unsalted peanuts are perfect for woodpeckers and tits.
Remember to clean feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease, and place them in a safe spot away from predators.
2. Provide Fresh Water
In freezing temperatures, access to water can be life-saving for birds. Offer a shallow dish of water and check it daily to ensure it hasn’t frozen over. You can also add a floating ball to the surface to keep the water from freezing too quickly.
3. Create Winter Shelters
Shelter is essential during winter storms and frosty nights. Help birds find a warm place to rest by:
• Leaving hedges and shrubs untrimmed until spring, as they offer natural shelter.
• Installing roosting boxes, which can provide overnight protection.
• Building brush piles with fallen branches and twigs to give ground-dwelling birds a cozy hiding spot.
4. Plan for Spring Nesting
Winter is the perfect time to think ahead to spring, when birds will be searching for safe places to nest and raise their young. Here’s how you can prepare:
• Put Up Nesting Boxes: Install birdhouses now so birds can explore and get comfortable before spring.
• Grow Native Plants: Planting native species helps provide food and shelter. Berry-producing shrubs, like hawthorn and holly, are excellent choices.
• Leave Materials for Nests: As spring approaches, leave natural materials like twigs, moss, and even pet fur for birds to use when building nests.
5. Make Your Garden a Bird Paradise
By creating a bird-friendly garden, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of birds year-round. Consider these steps:
• Avoid Pesticides: Encourage natural pest control by inviting birds to your garden.
• Add a Variety of Plants: Trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide seeds, berries, or insects will attract diverse bird species.
• Plant for Pollinators: Bees and butterflies in spring and summer bring birds flocking to your garden for insects.
Enjoy the Rewards
Helping birds through the winter is not only a kind gesture but also a joy for any gardener or nature enthusiast. Watching birds thrive in your garden is a reminder of the beauty of wildlife and the impact small actions can have.
So this winter, stock your feeders, keep the water fresh, and think ahead to the spring days when your garden will come alive with chirping and fluttering once again. The birds will thank you with their songs and presence.
The Southsea Green Team
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