Team Wilder Birds

Attracting birds to your garden and local spaces is easy. See tried and tested local advice to encourage birds in Avon. It's important to keep feeders and tables clean, so the birds stay healthy and disease-free. There is a link about bird flu at the bottom of this page - it is ok to help birds if you follow the advice. 

It's also ok to feed birds if cats are present, just position your feeders in a relatively open area with cover nearby so that the birds feel safer. More read on for local advice below.

Straight seeds include black sunflower, niger, oil seed rape, peanuts, and red and white millet. Seed mixes attract a greater mix of bird species. Husk-free seeds has less mess to clear up (from the disregarded shells) and birds that can’t crack husks, such as blackbirds), can also eat the mix. Some husk-free mixes also contain other foods like dried mealworms and suet pellets.

Stephanie in BS9 puts out suet or fat balls in the winter. They come as blocks, balls and pellets. Lots of birds like suet and it provides a vital source of energy for them, especially in the winter months.

TIP: Rhiannon and her family in BS15 don't deadhead some plants where the birds feed, such as teasels, so that birds like goldfinches will come down for the seed heads in autumn and winter.

Melanie and her family in BS15 have a very wildlife friendly garden and actively attract birds to their outdoor space. Red Campion, pictured above, is not only a great pollinator, but also provides nice cover and insects around the bird feeders. For the birds to feel safe using the bird feeders, Melanie has placed them close to  natural green cover - but not too close for predators to take advantage. Native hedges and trees provide shelter, food and space for nesting and breeding. 

Grow Wilder wildflower seeds