Walter 
Which food should birds not eat? Like me, so many people enjoy feeding the wild birds that visit our gardens. Pre-prepared seed mixes and suet balls are always a good idea, but isn’t it nice to give them the occasional treat from the kitchen? Not all human food is safe for our feathered friends, so … Read more
Attracting any type of bird usually involves offering them some of their favourite foods and a safe place to shelter. While this is similar for the bullfinch, you are less likely to see them unless your garden meets certain criteria. They are incredibly shy birds that prefer to hide in deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth. … Read more
I have two birdbaths in my garden; a small basic one and a larger pedestal-style model that is much more ornate. They both see lots of activity; my birds will bathe anywhere that has clean water. But, are birdbaths good for birds, or does cold water adversely affect their body temperature? Let’s take a closer … Read more
Having a birdbath in your garden not only attracts lots more songbirds than feeders alone, but it also helps you do your bit to keep them safe and clean. It seems pointless providing the birds with somewhere to wash if you don’t bother maintaining it. It isn’t a huge task and shouldn’t take more than … Read more
Lots of our favourite garden birds have suffered a decline in population in recent years, often due to changes in farming methods, pesticides, and climate change. I know that some birds have more than one brood during each mating season to try and counteract the problem; you might be surprised to discover just how many … Read more
Corvid is the collective term for the oscine passerines of the Corvidae genus – to you and me, members of the crow family. Oscine passerines are songbirds that perch to roost. Globally there are over 120 species of corvid, eight of which live in the British Isles. How to recognise a corvid bird Many of … Read more
I often wish that I lived closer to a river – or had a property grand enough to house a lake – then I would see more kingfishers. They are delightful small birds, instantly recognisable by their iridescent blue and orange plumage and long, strong beak. Although they’re one of the most admired birds to … Read more
I love listening to the birds in my garden almost as much as I enjoy watching and feeding them. My favourite sounds emanate from the course hedgerow early on a spring morning; it sounds alive and buzzing with bird conversation. I wonder, do birds talk to each other; are they communicating or simply showing off … Read more
Kingfishers are striking birds that choose to live near still or slow-flowing water where they can spend their days hunting for fish. If you think you should look upwards to spot their nest, think again. To discover where kingfishers build their nest, you should be searching down low. The common kingfisher inhabits almost all of … Read more
If you’re a regular reader of mine, you will already be aware that I love to feed mealworms to some of my feathered friends. In particularly, Christopher, my returning robin who eats them from the palm of my hand. I leave little piles of the wriggly little grubs out near to the house, just enough … Read more
