Plants that Attract Birds to your Garden

In Britain, according to the government's Biodiversity Action Plan, the following bird species are amongst those needing all-year-round conservation help:

• song thrush
• spotted flycatcher
• bullfinch
• starling
• house sparrow

Those who are fortunate enough to own a bit of garden can really help to make a haven for local birdlife, whether in the town or countryside.

Throughout the winter months we remember to provide plenty of food and water for birds, and in the spring perhaps we can provide nesting materials too. At the same time, we could think about plants that would be really beneficial to our local bird population and start planning our gardens around this idea.

The following plant types are particularly helpful in bird conservation and are suggested by expert, Anni Gatti in Gardener's World Magazine, January 2010. Of course, the size of the garden will be a factor when deciding on any particular planting scheme. 

Plants that produce berries are a source of high-energy food.

In winter months holly and ivy attract a variety of birds including starlings, finches, woodpigeons and waxwings.

Honeysuckle is another good choice, along with shrubs that produce berries and can be useful for nesting.

Consider planting pyracantha, berberis, cotoneaster, elder, guelder rose, dog rose and good old-fashioned bramble. Hawthorn and the ever useful holly also provide shelter from cats for blackbirds, thrushes and wrens.

Ivy also provides shelter, but in order to produce winter berries for the birds, ensure it is planted in full sun.

Think twice before deadheading plants such as teasel, sedum, sunflower, achillea, lavender, crocosmia, hemp agrimony, angelica, fennel and dill.

The birds who visit the garden love these seeds, so this is a job that can be delayed.

Many nectar-producing plants are useful for bird life because they attract insects, including hoverflies, butterflies and moths. These lay their eggs on the plants and birds can then feed the larvae to their hungry chicks.

Plants such as buddleia, achillea and campanula would make an attractive and useful addition to the bird-lover’s garden.

A small patch of uncut grass can be a goldmine for blackbirds and song thrushes who love pulling up worms. Ants are a feast for green woodpeckers and leatherjackets provide nourishment for starlings.

Insects will lay their eggs here too, and grass seedheads along with buttercups and dandelions are a vital seed source.

Here are a few tips to remember when planning a garden that will ensure birds are constant visitors:

• Birds tend to spend their time at different levels so, if possible, provide varying heights of trees and shrubs to accommodate  them. Tree tops are the preferred habitat for nuthatches and wood pigeons; robins and finches are happy at shrub level; wrens and blackbirds potter      about amongst low-growing plants.
• Never use chemical weedkillers and fertilisers in the  garden. Use organic methods which are not harmful to birds and other  wildlife.
• Don’t cut hedges or climbing plants during the breeding season. You will disturb nesting birds who may abandon their chicks never  to return.

Unfortunately I don't have a garden - but I do have a tiny balcony with a few plants growing.  I have a bird feeder with mealworms and peanuts, etc. and also a container for fat balls.   As a result, I have lots of feathered visitors to my minute space including black birds, robins, magpies, blue tits and chaffinches.

But please let me introduce you to my friendly wood pigeon who comes in for a visit every day!

Without a garden, if you have a tiny outside space you can still  make friends with birds!

And even a window can attract birds using the handy bird feeders which are now available and which stick on to your window pane!

A lot of time and effort goes into planning a garden which will attract a variety of bird species. Yet what better way to spend the dreary winter weeks?

Your creative efforts will be rewarded in the coming months when these precious companions find a welcome haven amongst the plants you have so thoughtfully provided.