Having birds in the garden is very nice. In addition to bringing life, they delight us with their songs. In France, we are lucky to have birds all year round. They can indeed find food even when the weather is capricious. But how do you attract birds to your garden? Here are our tips!
All birds have different needs. While some species appreciate the height of trees, others thrive in shrubs and feed on worms and insects on the ground. To attract as many birds as possible, it is therefore necessary to have a wide variety of plants, and therefore several floors, so that everyone can find their place.
In the same spirit, it is interesting to have trees and shrubs that give flowers, fruits or conifers. For your garden to be beautiful and attractive, it is highly recommended to favor plants naturally present in your region.
Attention ! In order not to disturb the birds during the nesting and therefore breeding period, the French Office for Biodiversity and the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) recommend suspending the size of hedges between March 15 and July 31.
If you want to attract birds, you can offer them small habitats. In garden centers as in supermarkets, wooden houses are available. The most DIY enthusiasts will be able to design original huts that are perfectly adapted to the needs of the birds. These huts are ideal for nesting. Make sure the openings have different diameters to accommodate as many species as possible. The huts must be placed at different heights and above all out of reach of dogs and cats in the household.
To ensure the well-being of the birds and not to harm their natural instincts, it is recommended not to offer food to the birds throughout the year. It is better to wait until the weather conditions are really difficult for them. The first frosts are an ideal time. You can feed the birds all winter then, when spring and mild temperatures set in, you have to stop feeding the birds. Very quickly they will resume their habits and search for food on their own
Because the birds have to be fed mainly in the cold season, you should offer fat. This can take the form of butter or duck fat. In addition to this rich base, it is necessary to vary the contributions. Depending on the species that live in your garden, you can provide birds with:
The seeds you offer to birds must come from mixtures intended for them. The mixtures found in the aperitif section are not recommended for birds because they are too salty. In winter, it is possible to opt for balls composed of fats and seeds.
There are no rules as to the placement of bird food. You can place feeders near your windows to admire the birds, high up in the trees to protect them from predators, or even on the ground. The birds will get used to it and will be there! The only recommendation is that the different types of food should not be mixed. Respect a certain distance between the feeders in order to allow each species to benefit from a dedicated space in the garden.
The feeders must be maintained but vigilance is required. You must clean the feeders with water. Cleaning products are harmful to birds. In addition, their strong smell would scare them away.
We often hear that it is not essential to make water available to birds. However, water is an essential and even vital element. By providing a water point for the birds in the garden, you allow them to drink, cool off and wash themselves. We recently explained to you that it is not necessary to provide food to birds throughout the year. It's the same for water. It must be offered when the temperatures are too high. Provide a container large enough to accommodate several birds and limit the depth to 5 cm. The water must be renewed regularly.
Feeding the birds helps make your garden their habitat. Even if it is not an obligation, this approach is very interesting to give life to your exterior and enjoy nature in a different way.
