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Angela M

Summer is drawing to an end and autumn is in the air. At the moment lots of plants are laden with berries and seeds which are perfect natural food sources for many bird species. However, as we wrap up in our cosy knitwear and enjoy the leaves crunching underfoot -  the chilly temperatures, shorter days and bare trees will soon make things tougher for our feathered friends.
 
We know nature in Northern Ireland is in trouble and many once common garden visitors such as house sparrows and starlings are now in decline. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take at home to help encourage birds into your outside space and give them a helping hand through the colder months.

#1 Shelter



Shelter is important for our garden birds particularly in the colder months when trees are bare. Nest boxes aren’t just for the summer breeding season, lots of birds use them for shelter on a cold night. Now is a great time to put up new nest boxes, which will provide shelter over the winter and a place to nest in the summer. Resist the urge to prune back plants such as ivy and holly, as these can also make great places for wildlife to take cover from the elements and the berries are a great natural food source. 
 
 #2 Food 



A wide variety of food will attract a wide variety of birds to your garden. Tits, finches and sparrows enjoy sunflower hearts, goldfinches can’t resist nyjer seed and thrushes might be tempted by some chopped apples on a ground feeder. Natural food sources are great too. Don’t prune your seed heads, leave these for the birds to enjoy instead, plants such as sunflowers and teasels are a great for hungry birds. Trees with berries such as hawthorn and rowan are favourites too.  
 
 #3 Water 



Water is important too!  Birds need fresh, clean water for drinking and to keep their feathers in top condition. Keeping a bird bath clean helps to prevent birds catching diseases, so make sure you clean your bird bath regularly and change the water.


There's lots of ways you can help nature in Northern Ireland. Join our campaign to Revive Our World and find out more www.rspb.org.uk/reviveourworld