How to create a bird friendly garden

No matter the size of your outdoor space, there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a robin land on the fence or hearing birdsong in the early morning while you’re still half-awake with your coffee.

If you’re thinking about how to make your garden more inviting for birds, without turning it into a full-on nature reserve, we’ve got some handy advice to attract more feather friends into your garden.

Bird friendly garden design

Designing a bird-friendly garden is all about thoughtful choices that invite nature in. This might include plants that provide shelter and food, paths that guide you through different ‘zones’, water features, or a quiet corner with a bird box. Layered gardens are great for birds; you can do this by including trees for height, shrubs for cover, and flowers for colour and pollinators. Even in a small garden, you can create pockets of interest that birds will love. Planting berry-rich hedges or seed-producing blooms will help birds feel like they've hit the jackpot. 

How do I make my garden bird friendly?

To attract birds, you need to give them a good reason to want to stop by. Food is usually what gets their attention first.

Bird feeders

Try putting out a few types of feed, such as sunflower hearts, mealworms, or bird feed mix. You don’t have to go overboard, just enough to offer variety. If you’re not sure where to start, have a look at our own bird feeders.

Make sure the feeders are placed where birds feel safe, such as near a tree or a tall hedge. If you can, add a ground-level tray for birds like blackbirds and chaffinches.

Want to see what’s happening up close? A feeder camera is honestly great fun, and surprisingly addictive.

Water features

A shallow dish or bird bath is enough. Try to place it somewhere shaded and visible so birds can spot predators. Refill it often and give it a scrub now and then. In winter, if you find the water you have put out for the birds is frozen, just break the ice and refill.

Nesting spots

If you want birds to stick around, they’ll need somewhere to nest. A good bird box does the job. Robins and wrens prefer open-fronted boxes, while tits and sparrows like the small-holed kind. It's best to keep them sheltered, and preferably north or east facing. Birds will want a calm, quiet place to nest, so try to avoid putting nesting spots right next to your feeders, which will (hopefully) soon be buzzing with activity.

For more tips on observing visitors once they arrive, our beginner’s guide to birdwatching offers some great tips for starting out.

What garden plants do birds like?

Shrubs like hawthorn, holly or rowan are brilliant for making your garden bird-friendly. Birds love the berries, and the dense growth gives them somewhere to hide. Plants like sunflowers and teasels produce seeds birds go for. Ivy and honeysuckle are great too as they attract insects and give birds a bit of cover. And if you’re planting flowers, go for ones that attract pollinators. More bugs mean more food for birds, especially in the spring. Even a small patch of wildflowers makes a difference.

How to stop birds pooing in the garden

Being completely honest, you can’t stop it entirely. But there are a few ways to keep things a little more manageable:

• Position feeders carefully. Keep them away from patios, decks or seating areas.

• Use trays under feeders, they catch a lot of the mess.

• Clean regularly, it’s better for you and better for the birds.
  

If you’re also dealing with squirrels stealing all the food and leaving a mess of their own, here’s how to keep them away without resorting to full-on warfare.

Want to go the extra mile?

If you’ve got the space, and the patience, you might even be able to encourage something more unusual. Like owls; it’s more possible than you’d think! You just need a quiet spot, the right nesting box, and a little know-how. There’s a great guide here on how to attract owls if you’re curious.

You don’t need to turn your garden into a wildlife sanctuary overnight. Just start small with a feeder or a berry bush. If you give birds a reason to visit, they usually will. And when they do, take a moment to watch. There’s something grounding about it. You’ll start to notice which birds show up when, how their patterns change with the seasons.

It’s a simple kind of magic. And it all starts with making space for feathers, fluttering wings, and a bit of quiet life just outside your door.