Choosing greenery which birds enjoy will lead them to come back to your garden and will make the space more vibrant during winter months
Gardeners have been urged to protect the birds in their garden by planting a fruit-bearing shrub. Such plants are popular with wildlife who will return to enjoy its food and lasting green leaves.. Some gardeners, however, may not have any shrubs of this type in their outside area.
Experts from online gardening site Gardens Illustrated suggest choosing greenery which birds can enjoy too. This will lead them to return again to your garden and make the space more alive and enjoyable during winter months.
The publication urged gardeners to think about what might look good and provide more sustenance for wildlife who are eager to find food as temperatures dip. The site says: “If you lack evergreen plants, take some time to first think about your preferences and then what your visiting birds might like too.
“Planting evergreen shrubs with long-lasting fruit might be the aesthetic improvement and wildlife food source your garden needs.” Experts advised those looking to attract wildlife to “consider crab apples” for warm colours and Pyracantha to train around windows by fences.
But the site also warned about taking away some plants which bear fruit and are enjoyed by the birds, A spokesman said: “If you do one thing differently for wildlife, don’t remove lots of ivy. Take modest amounts if you’re using it for wreath making but leave the fruit for birds – Christmas lunch is for everyone.”
The Mirror told how many bird species remain in British gardens throughout the winter, opting to compete for scarce food resources rather than migrate to warmer climates. The robin, a beloved Christmas icon, is one such bird that bravely endures the harsh winter conditions, fiercely defending its territory and scouring for sustenance.
Garden expert Richard Jackson said: “Robins are one of our charismatic winter birds. Easily recognisable, the friendly robin is a great asset in our winter gardens and has been hailed as the UK’s favourite bird.”
He added: “In the bleak midwinter, our garden friend the robin shadows our every move in the garden. His tomato red breast shines like a beacon in the cold winter light as he hops and chirrups around as we potter around the winter garden.” They are fiercely territorial, relying on the protection and retention of their patch to survive, particularly if the garden is rich in bird food or has a friendly human providing support.
Blackbirds also face challenges in finding food, with a virus affecting their numbers in England. The British Trust for Ornithology raised the alarm about plummeting numbers of the species. It pointed the finger at the Usutu virus in the UK. This mosquito-borne menace can prove lethal to birds. Magpies, however, buck the trend by staying put during December instead of jetting off for warmer climes according to Ark Wildlife who said: “Magpies are one of the most intelligent birds (and animals!) ever to exist. They have a good long-term memory and they can recall faces.
“And they’re savvy enough to hoard food when it’s in plentiful supply. As predators, they eat young birds (as most corvid species do), but this doesn’t seem to affect bird population trends.”
