A “cheerful” annual may attract many beautiful birds, from great spotted woodpeckers to greenfinches, but gardeners should make sure they choose a specific type
Goldfinches could pay a visit to your garden if you plant a “cheerful” flower(Image: Charlie Fayers via Getty Images)
Planting a “cheerful” flower that’s easy to grow in the UK could attract goldfinches and sparrows to your garden. As spring continues, few pleasures rival watching vibrant birds darting through a well-maintained garden — and there are several straightforward steps you can take to attract them.
While setting up a bird feeder and providing fresh water are, of course, vital, installing a nest box and incorporating bird-friendly plants can also make a difference. One particular “cheerful” annual is regarded as a “favourite food source” for our feathered visitors.
Sunflower seeds are a firm favourite amongst a diverse range of garden birds, including blackbirds, dunnocks, goldfinches, great spotted woodpeckers, great tits, greenfinches, sparrows, and even robins.
BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine advises that people opt for “single-flowered varieties with large centres”, and recommends leaving the plants standing once the flowers have faded, as they serve as “natural birdfeeders”.
Sunflower seeds are enjoyed by a colourful array of birdlife(Image: Getty Images/fStop)
In a recent piece on the subject, the publication noted: “Choose single-flowered varieties with large centres and leave plants standing after the flowers are over – the seedheads will act as natural birdfeeders into early winter.
“Sunflowers can be sown indoors or directly in the ground where you want them to grow, but sowing them inside now will give them a head start. Grow on in a cool, frost-free place and plant out after the risk of frost has passed.
“As they grow taller, support them by staking with a bamboo cane. For outside sowing, wait until frosts have passed and sow two seeds in each hole, removing the weaker seedling later.”
Additional plant varieties recommended by the outlet to entice birds into your garden included guelder rose, ivy, honeysuckle, roses, and crab apples.
Sparrows love the seeds from this flower (Image: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, wildlife specialists at Green Feathers have recently offered a straightforward tip to help you increase the likelihood of attracting owls to your garden: all you need to do is turn off any outdoor lighting you may have during the evening hours.
They explained: “To make your garden more owl-friendly, you need to reduce light pollution at night. Keep lights turned off if possible or invest in motion-activated lighting instead.
“This will keep your home protected by illuminating shadowy corners if a potential intruder approaches, without disturbing the owls in the area.”
They continued: “According to The Barn Owl Trust, 95% of wild barn owls contain rat poison in their systems, causing a huge problem for this species.
“If you want to attract owls into your garden to deal with a rat problem, make sure your garden is free of rat poison and rat traps – trust the owls to handle the issue for you.”
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