Harsh weather conditions, dwindling habitats and accelerated feeding rates can all combine to force more birds into our gardens in search of food at this time of year. With little cost and effort, we can make a big difference to local birdlife and have the joy of watching them through the window.

1. Top up feeders regularly

Surviving the long, cold winter nights is hard for many birds with some species needing to eat up to 30% of their bodyweight to get through them. Supplementary food can be a lifeline so it’s really helpful to top up feeders frequently – if you stick to a regular pattern you may be rewarded with birds appearing for feeding time. In snowy conditions, feeders may need to be topped up as often as twice a day.

2. Provide variety

Different species require different food types so to get the most variety in your garden and to spread the love evenly try to provide a range of seeds, fats, nuts and grains, as well as as mealworms, which are highly nutritious.

3. Save your leftovers

Birds will welcome your left overs too – rice, pasta, unsalted meat fat, biscuit crumbs, dried fruit and pieces of cheese all go down a treat! Windfall apples or fruit that has past its best in the fruit bowl can also be chopped up and thrown on the lawn for ground-feeding birds, such as Blackbirds and Thrushes.

4. Don’t let food get soggy

None of us like soggy food and birds are no exception. If bird food gets wet, swells and is left uneaten, it’s best to clear it to avoid the potential of disease and to dissuade rodents from paying you a visit!

5. Think about where to place bird feeding stations

The ideal vantage spot in the summer may be exposed to the elements come winter. If you can, place feeders in sheltered positions nearby to trees, hedges or shrubs, enabling birds to take quick shelter should they feel threatened.

Find out more about the birds that visit your garden on our website’s Wildlife Explorer pages.