As autumn deepens and daylight hours shorten, gardening guru Monty Don is urging Britons to support their local bird populations through the challenging winter months.
Creating Wildlife Havens in Your Garden
The celebrated horticulturist emphasizes that while garden work decreases during colder seasons, wildlife's need for shelter and sustenance becomes increasingly critical. Monty recommends leaving piles of fallen leaves under hedges and trees when gathering leafmould, providing crucial cover for hedgehogs, frogs, small mammals, and insects alongside our feathered friends.
During autumn, birds naturally feast on seeds and berries available in gardens. However, as these natural supplies diminish, supplementary feeding becomes vital for their survival. "The more caloric the better," Monty advises, noting that high-energy foods provide essential winter fuel.
What to Feed Winter Birds - And What to Avoid
According to Monty's extensive experience, seeds, nuts, and fats are 'best of all' for providing much-needed energy boosts. He also confirms that certain kitchen scraps make excellent bird food when natural sources become scarce.
"Left-over pastry, bread and rice always get eaten fast and fruit is good, especially for blackbirds and thrushes," he shared in his monthly blog. Grated cheese and cooked potatoes also prove popular, though he strongly warns against raw potatoes.
The gardening expert specifically cautions against offering anything salty including crisps, salted peanuts, or bacon, as these can harm birds and potentially attract garden pests.
For those wanting to attract specific species, Monty recommends:
- Dried mealworms for robins, tits, and wrens
- Sunflower seeds and fat-balls (preferably hung to prevent bullying by larger birds)
Smart Feeding Strategies and Water Provision
Monty suggests an ingenious method to ensure smaller birds aren't outcompeted: "Find an old log with lots of cracks and crevices and pour seed over it. The smaller birds will extract every last bit from the fissures that bigger ones cannot reach."
Beyond food, he stresses the importance of providing fresh drinking water daily, particularly during freezing conditions when natural water sources become inaccessible.
The gardening presenter finds great personal reward in winter birdwatching, describing it as one of his seasonal highlights: "I would say that one of the things I most enjoy about winter is watching the birds feed at the table outside our kitchen window... It is just as rewarding and right on every gardener's doorstep."
