birds

In the UK, we spend a fortune feeding our feathered friends, but with a bit of wildlife-friendly gardening we can save on the bird food and create a buffet of natural dishes to delight and support garden birds all year round. Lawns are a hunting ground for thrushes and starlings, plucking worms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates from the ground. Longer grass shelters a greater variety of insects, putting more options on the menu for foraging birds. This includes caterpillars, which are an essential part of a baby blue tit's diet. Log piles, leaf mounds and other aspects of a wild patch will offer even more food for them.

Many birds also have a soft spot for fruits, especially in autumn and winter. By filling our gardens with fruit-filled trees and berry-laden bushes, we can make sure there's plenty for birds to eat even in the coldest months - and we can take a share of it, too!

It's important to remember that water is just as vital as food. We need to make sure our garden birds have a spot to drink and bathe, to help them keep in top physical condition.