The RHS has provided some top tips on how to help them during different times of the year.
It says that gardens can be a “valuable refuge for many birds”, so following these tips can help stop at-risk species from being lost further.
Just by avoiding doing one thing, you can help birds to survive beyond the summer.
Simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden
RHS tips to help birds during the autumn time
RSPB expert Adrian Thomas has given some easy steps to provide for birds year-round, including during autumn.
A key piece of advice is to avoid removing all fallen leaves.
Mr Thomas said: “When raking leaves off lawns, leave some piles under bushes where birds will be able to flick through them during winter, looking for hibernating invertebrates.”
As well as this, ensure to leave some windfall apples scattered on the lawn to cater for ground-feeding winter visitors such as redwings and fieldfares.
It is also important to allow some late flowers of plants such as Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Cosmos to go to seed to provide for birds through winter.
“These will provide hibernacula for insects, as well as looking beautiful in winter frosts,” the expert said.
Other tips include potentially planting a tree, which could provide a safe hideout or a nesting site for birds, and cleaning nest boxes to provide a nighttime refuge for birds when the weather turns cold.
What should I feed birds in the UK?
According to the RSPB, there are various items that you can feed birds in your garden.
It says that many birds will “happily eat a variety of foods”, but there are specific feeding tips.
The RSPB says suet balls and other fat-based food bars are “excellent high-energy giving foods for winter”.
It adds to ensure to look for good quality bird food that doesn’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas and beans, red dari and whole wheat that birds rarely eat.
Leftovers such as dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears also work, and make sure to not use anything mouldy or salty.
A robin feeding on fat or suet balls in a garden (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Here are foods that different types of common birds enjoy and how to feed them:
Blackbirds – mostly feed on the ground and will eat a broad range of foods, from suet nibbles to mealworms
Blue Tits and Great Tits – use both a feeder and a bird table, eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts.
Finches – use both a feeder and a bird table, and they love sunflower hearts
Goldfinches or Siskins – they like nyjer seeds, which are also popular with Greenfinches and Redpolls
House Sparrows, Dunnocks and Collared Doves – prefer to feed on the ground and will be attracted by small seeds
Robins – mealworms are especially popular and may attract other insect-eating birds such as Pied Wagtails
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The RSPB also says it is important to put out water for birds too, particularly when it is very cold as usual water sources might be frozen.
Ensure water sources are kept clean and fresh water is put out every day.
Other than bird baths, an old dustbin lid or anything shallow that holds water will work.
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