There’s a simple thing people can do to encourage birds to visit their gardens time and time again. While many focus on bird feeders, there’s actually something they need even more during winter
11:19, 02 Dec 2025Updated 11:19, 02 Dec 2025
There’s a simple way to encourage birds to visit (stock image)(Image: Pauline Lewis via Getty Images)
Plenty of people like the idea of having feathered friends pop round for a visit, and there’s a straightforward method you can use to tempt them over. Something many don’t realise is that whilst birds love a good feed, there’s actually something else that draws them in like a magnet, particularly during the chilly depths of December.
The gardening gurus at Grow It My Way have dished out some brilliant advice on social media that could transform your outdoor space into a bird hotspot, and the beauty of this tip is it might just keep them coming back for more. All it takes is popping one simple item in your garden to lure them in.
Turns out you might not even need food to pull this off, as ditching the bird seed for something else entirely could be the key to ensuring they make regular pit stops. Despite having feeders at their disposal, it was revealed there’s actually a far superior strategy for attracting birds.
They explained: “The best feature is water.” Whilst not every garden boasts a fancy bird bath, simply leaving some water outside can work absolute wonders. Pop some water out there in whatever form you can manage, and it’ll be a game-changer for supporting local wildlife.
Why should I do this?
Setting up a water source in your garden, whether it’s a bird bath or a shallow pond, ranks as one of the most effective ways to draw birds into your patch.
It super important, as they need water for both drinking and bathing. To attract birds, ensure your water source is clean, fresh and ideally situated near shrubs or trees for cover and perches.
If you don’t have a water feature, you can simply leave some water outside. Common household items like plant saucers, dustbin lids or bowls can be filled with water and left outdoors. Just make sure the water isn’t deeper than about two inches (5cm).
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There are a few key points to remember when doing this. It’s crucial to keep the water clean and regularly scrub the container to prevent disease spread.
Also, position the water source where birds can easily survey their surroundings to spot potential predators. During chilly weather, it’s important to remove ice so birds can continue to drink and bathe.
Why it’s vital to care for birds during colder months
In the winter months, it becomes particularly crucial to assist our feathered friends. This is because natural water sources can freeze over, and birds need water for both drinking and bathing.
Providing them with water helps them stay healthy and maintain insulated feathers. To prevent freezing, you can break up and remove ice.
Consider using a floating object like a ping-pong ball or a cork, or periodically add warm water to combat the issue. If you’re considering a bird bath, you might want to invest in a heated model to prevent freezing altogether.
Alternatively, if you plan to place water outside, choose a suitable container. Plastic or rubber containers are good choices as they’re less likely to crack if frozen, and provide better insulation than metal.
Naturally, you can also leave some food outside for them too. Food sources also become more scarce for them during the winter months.
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