We are all looking forward to long summer days in our gardens. What better than a sunny day in the garden with a gentle breeze and bird song

What can we provide to encourage birds to visit our gardens

Birds need three basic things from their habitat: food, water, and shelter.

Birds eat the fruit, seeds, and nectar from a variety of plants. They also eat insects and other small animals that thrive in a healthy ecosystem.

Birds drink fresh water wherever it collects, from rain or sprinklers, even leaking water fountains, so a Bird bath could be a great idea. 

Trees and plants provide birds with safe places to sleep and hide from predators, and a sheltered place to raise their young. 

you may ask what do plants get out of it?
Plants are static. They need help from the natural elements and birds and other animals to reproduce. Some birds species help plants by carrying pollen from one flower to another.

Seeds that sprout farther away from the parent plant may have a better chance of surviving. Plants rely on wind, gravity, water, and animals to spread their seeds. Many birds eat the fruit and seeds of shrubs and trees then poop them out after they fly away. Watch out!. 

You can put your bird feeder in all sorts of places, but aim for somewhere:

• Quiet – where birds won't be disturbed
• Safe – not too close to bushes where cats could hide in wait, but close enough to cover that birds can easily dart to and from
• Sheltered from harsh winds.

Wherever you place your feeder, make sure you can see it when you’re indoors so you can get the most pleasure from it!

Bear in mind, it can take a little bit of time for the birds to get used to a new feeder, so don’t be disappointed if not many birds visit at first.

Whenever you handle these, always wear your gardening gloves to protect you from diseases.