What birds can you see in your garden this April?
April is one of the most exciting times for watching our garden birds, with summer migrant returning en masse and our resident birds beginning to breed in full force.
If you are able to spy birds carrying twigs, feathers or moss, or food, there is a good chance there is a breeding attempt going on nearby. In April, tits and finches will be scoping out nest sites and beginning building, while birds like Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock will likely already be on eggs and even chicks. The first brood of Blackbird chicks will normally emerge from the nest by the end of the month.
1. Blue Tit
2.Great Tit
3. Goldfinch
4. Chaffinch
5. Robin
6. Blackbird
7. Dunnock
You will likely also be hearing a lot of bird song now, and amongst that will be some of our migrants. The easiest to recognise is the Chiffchaff, which sings its own name with a distinctive rhythm. Blackcaps can also be heard, with their rich, fruity lines of song. Neither are common breeders in gardens, but they will be singing as they pass through to more traditional breeding territories
8. Chiffchaffs
9. Blackcap
What to Feed
If you are new to feeding birds, you can choose a ‘year round’ bird food. This is suitable for all seasons and all popular garden birds. Peckish Complete Seed Mix has 12 varieties of high energy seeds and nuts and will attract a wide range of birds.
If you are keen to attract a specific type of bird, there are specific foods available. For example, a Robin Mix blended with mealworms, naked oats and sunflowers hearts that are small and ideal for a Robin’s beak
How to Feed
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You will know how much food to put out based on how much is left. If the food is taking days to be eaten, simply reduce the amount you put out
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Use several feeding stations to reduce the amount of birds feeding in one spot
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If you use a feeding table, make sure to keep it clean
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Use a ground feeding tray if you prefer to place food on the ground . Just remember to remove any leftover food before nightfall to prevent attracting unwanted visitors
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Avoid putting feeders under garden features where birds may perch or roost
If you would like to learn more about understanding birds, in particular about changing bird populations visit the charity – British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)