Birds are cute and hearing them sing sweet tunes in your garden is a joy. If you like having them around, there are some simple ways to encourage them to visit, and it doesn’t involve seeds
Many people enjoy having birds visit their gardens, attracted by their charming songs and cute appearances; however, encouraging these feathered friends to visit might be simpler than you think, and it doesn’t involve food or bread.
A woman, known as The Floral Gardener on TikTok, has shared a simple and cost-effective hack that she claims birds “can’t resist”. This trick ensures that birds will not only visit your garden but also keep returning, and she reassures that there’s no need to fret about having seeds.
There are other ways to entice them to pay a visit. And, if you see robins nearby, you may just need to take urgent action too.
In an online video, she revealed: “Want birds in your garden? Forget the seed. This works better and it’s free. It’s frustrating when you’re making so much effort and putting out food for them, and putting bird boxes up and they’re still not coming.
“This is what works. Water. Give birds multiple water sources and they will flock to your gardens. In my front garden, I feed the birds but, in the back garden, I only offer water, and guess what? There are tons of birds every single day in my back garden.”
The Floral Gardener further explained that she has three water features and a pond. However, if you’re on a budget, bowls of water or plant pots filled with water work just as well.
As long as it holds water, the birds will be happy. Together with drinking it, they’ll also have a bath in it, so birds love it for more than one reason.
She also said it’s a good idea to water your grass, as birds also love wet soil. This is because it allows them to access worms more easily. If you try it, she said you’ll likely be “absolutely amazed”, and others seemed to agree.
After she shared the video, one person said: “We can’t feed them, as I have tortoises, but we provide a big bowl of fresh water daily and doves, wood pigeons, starlings and gold finches visit daily for drinks/baths.”
Another added: “Yes, I had feeders and all the droppings of crumbs make a nasty mess and encourages mice and rats. I have rasied a pond and lots of birds visit daily to drink and have a bath.”
Why you should place water outside
If you want to attract birds to your garden, it’s a really good idea to place water outside. Putting something like a shallow dish of water outdoors is one of the most effective ways to invite them in.
Birds need water for drinking and bathing. This means having a clean, fresh supply will make your garden much more appealing to them.
Water even helps to keep their feathers in good condition, so it’s well worth having some to hand. If they find a spot where they know they’re able to drink and bathe, they are far more likely to return.
If you don’t have a bird bath, a simple shallow dish of water placed outdoors will do. You don’t have to spend much to help them visit.
Ensure it’s kept clean and refreshed daily, particularly during warmer weather, to help curb the spread of disease. Also, when the temperature drops, be sure to remove any ice formations.