I’ve recently developed a passion for birds and I want my kids to get involved too. What things should I do in my garden to invite more kinds of birds? We only had pigeons and blackbirds so far.
Hi Nesli and welcome to the Community. I think the more you watch birds the more you will appreciate what amazing creatures they are and the more you will understand their behaviour. Getting your kids involved can only be a good thing for the future of conservation.
I don't know what your garden is like but putting up a feeding station from which you can hang feeders is something you can do quickly. Sunflower hearts are popular with many bird including finches and tits are what most people would recommend. As the weather gets colder suet fat balls are a vital source of energy for many birds. I would recommend high quality suet balls. Avoid some of the cheaper garden centre products which contain fillers. Shop around for the best deals. Alternatively, for a cheaper solution you can make your own raw pastry from from lard and flour perhaps with some blitzed up sunflower hearts or peanuts.
In the longer term try planting some shrubs which produce red berries (like cotoneaster or pyracantha). These can attracts thrushes in the winter.
I'm sure other people will have some good suggestions
Hello Neslie, welcome from me up in Caithness at the very top of Scotland. Excellent info from TJ. I would add, if you try and have trees, shrubs, bushes, some form of cover in the garden, as the birds like to have somewhere to fly back and forth to, for cover and also some like to take food back and sit on the branches to eat. I feed premium bird seed, peanuts, Niger seed, sunflower hearts and fat balls and logs. Some find that their Niger seed is not taken but ours disappears as fast as the sunflower hearts! The home made pastry is a favourite, once they find it they will be back! You could also add suet pieces, grated cheese of dried fruit, whatever you have about the house. Enjoy, it is a lovely hobby and the children will love it.