World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

Gardening gone wild
Five birds in
your garden
Blackbird
The most widely seen garden bird,
blackbirds eat a wide variety of
food. Look out for them pecking
earthworms out of the ground or
singing from the treetops.
Green woodpecker
These vibrant birds are particularly
attracted to gardens with large trees,
which provide the cover they need.
Woodpeckers eat peanuts and suetbased
foods alongside insects.
Birds control insect populations
and give your garden life
Keen twitchers may organise exotic trips
around the world to spot rare and unique
birds, but you needn’t go to such lengths to
witness the wonders of the avian world. A
variety of birds enjoy visiting gardens up and
down the country; you can invite them into
yours by equipping your outdoor space with
a few simple provisions.
All birds need food, so a bird feeder is a
good place to start if you want to encourage
feathered friends into your garden. A simple
mix of seeds, nut granules and flaked maize
will be enough to attract sparrows, finches,
dunnocks, doves and blackbirds. Robins,
blue tits and wagtails prefer live food such as
mealworms. If you can stomach them, these
squirming bugs will bring greater diversity to
your garden.
As well as food, birds require water. While
heavy stone birdbaths are aesthetically
pleasing, an upturned dustbin lid half buried
in soil will do the same job for a fraction of
the cost. Remember to clean and refill your
birdbath regularly to prevent dangerous
bacteria from building up, threatening the
health of visiting birds. For shelter, place nest
boxes around your garden to provide birds
with a cosy place to hunker down.
“You can invite birds into your garden by
equipping it with a few simple provisions”
Goldfinch
The goldfinch has a thin beak
that’s perfect for picking out the
spiny seedheads of teasel plants.
Try planting some to attract these
handsome birds.
Jay
Jays are members of the crow family.
They are often seen during autumn,
when they bury acorns to retrieve
during winter. Scatter nuts around
your garden for them to eat.
Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawks are one of the most
common birds of prey in the UK,
targeting small birds. Listen out
for the alarm calls of starlings and
thrushes to spot these predators.
Bird feeders can
attract a variety of
species, including
blue tits and great tits
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