Gardeners have been told to hang bird feeders near roses this month for one key reason. Autumn and winter can be a tough time for garden birds, with less of their favourite prey around due to the frozen ground and cold conditions sapping them of energy.
Besides bringing soothing birdsong and a vibrant atmosphere to your garden, the winged creatures also do an important job chasing away pests that can bring damage and disease to your plants. And if you want to keep them coming back in December, it’s a good idea to make small changes to ensure garden birds are well supported, with enough grub and water to keep them going.
GardenersWorld.com, a website from the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, flags various jobs to do this month, including one about the placement of birdfeeders.
Under its gardening checklist for flowers, it recommends hanging bird feeders “near roses to attract hungry birds that will also pick off any overwintering pests”.
It also recommends keeping bird baths topped up with fresh water “every day during frosty weather”. You can find the full list of all their recommended garden jobs for December here.
However it’s important to ensure that feeders are cleaned and refreshed regularly, as old damp feed can be a haven for moulds, bacteria and parasites.
And if you’re wondering what kinds of food you should be leaving out for garden birds to make your garden as welcoming as possible, the RSPCA previously shared advice about the things they like – and it doesn’t have to be seeds and grains.
According to the charity, garden birds, including Robins, are partial to a variety of different kinds of food, including something you may not have thought of: cooked pasta.
The carbohydrates pasta provides are a great way to give the winged critters a bit of extra energy amid the chilly and challenging weather conditions.
However, the organisation stresses that you must cook the pasta in water, without salt, butter, spices, oil, or anything else that could harm them. You should also cut up larger pieces so its easier for them to eat.
You can find more food options for your winged friends to try here.
