When it's cold like this I make a point of putting out scraps of stale bread for my birds (and even my squirrel)... the robin (which has a very strange sense of humour) gives me a "God you're a cheap date" look as he nibbles the crusts.

We don't have much of a garden but we also put food out for the birds. I wish we had a Robin, but I haven't seen one recently.

2 robins that have been here for 45 years in some guise or other; blackbirds ditto; thrush; chaffinches; pigeons of course (fat naughty things that shit everywhere) and the squirrels.

For central London it's a bloody aviary!

JK2006 wrote:
When it's cold like this I make a point of putting out scraps of stale bread for my birds (and even my squirrel)....

Don't forget the water, too, JK.

We put food out for the birds, and have a range of bird-feeders. I was horrified by the price of peanuts though. A large plastic bag was £29 (or two for £48) at our local Pets At Home store. But knowing the birds needed feeding, I spent £48. Plus another £2 on Charcoal-flavoured Boneo for my two dogs! (I still have a good stock of bird-seed and fat balls, but the peanuts had gone down rather quickly as mice had gnawed through the plastic dustbin I kept the peanuts in! - They are now in a metal dustbin).

How does one attract birds to the garden? Only asking as I've had various attempts with birdhouses, feeders etc with no success. Just hung a squirrel proof contraption yesterday of the nearest telephone line. Probably illegal but its the highest point visible to the birdies so thought t was worth a bash. I suspect the local zoo has some tastier treats than I have on offer.

Interesting question Angel; I have no idea why my little mews have become a virtual bird sanctuary.
It is very close to the park (one minute's walk away).
But not a huge amount of trees or shrubs and the odd cat about.
However for 45 years robins, blackbirds, thrushes, chaffinches, pigeons and even jays have called it home. Plus the odd squirrel.
My bird table empties of food in about ten minutes.
I was just out there crumbling a slice of white bread and a robin came and perched there whilst I was doing it, an inch away, greedily snaffling and munching.

JK2006 wrote:
2 robins that have been here for 45 years in some guise or other

A robin's average life span is just over a year. However, ones that last a year, have a good chance of making it up to 12 years.

angel wrote:
How does one attract birds to the garden? Only asking as I've had various attempts with birdhouses, feeders etc with no success. Just hung a squirrel proof contraption yesterday of the nearest telephone line. Probably illegal but its the highest point visible to the birdies so thought t was worth a bash. I suspect the local zoo has some tastier treats than I have on offer.

Chicken / egg, angel !

You have to have a bird-friendly garden normally - that means lots of rough areas which will attract moths insects etc. A too-manicured garden is a no-no !

A pond or wet-area also helps.

Also try and have plants which will attracts insects etc - Buddleia for example is fantastic for attracting butterflies.

I suspect JK's proximity to a park is attracting an over-spill.

Thanks for the tips itk. I have to say that I'm pretty anal and do like to prune my bush from time to time (doesn't everyone?) and the topiary's look untidy if left for too long. Why have a garden if it isn't well manicured? I'll try with a bird bath and consult my father in law regarding plants.

I spent a while watching two buzzards yesterday. They really are magnificent. A young one was sitting in a tree, then suddenly it swooped down and collected what I assume was a mouse from below. The mouse had a birds-eye view of the neighbourhood - but I suspect for only a short while.

angel wrote:
Why have a garden if it isn't well manicured?

Agreed - but you can have "wild" areas (ours is at the bottom of the garden). Besides some of the wild flowers / grasses are more spectacular than the cultivated ones.

Could be worth watching Bees, Butterflies and Blooms tonight (Wed) BBC2 at 8pm (will also be on catch-up / iPlayer if you dont get the message in time?)

Prog explains the kinds of nectar / pollen rich plants to have in your garden to attracts insects and butterflies.

If you attract insects etc ... the wildlife will follow.

Thanks for the tip ITK; thoroughly enjoying the show and have asked my gardener (yes, we all have one) to make sure this summer's flowers have loads of pollen carrying blooms.

I adore bees and reckon honey is the food of Gods (and Kings - couldn't live without it).

I thought the most interesting point in the show was how Harrogate's pristine and multi-coloured flower beds were totally devoid of insect life.

The balance of nature is important for us all ... remove just one little bit and the whole thing could disintegrate.