Bird Love

 Bird Food Offers for Garden Card Members this month: 

Half Price Peckish Nugget Feeder (normally £12.99) just £6.50 this month for members.

Buy 2, get 1 free – Peckish Re-sealable Bird Food Pouches (cheapest one free)

Includes Robin Seed & Insect Mix, Colourful Birds Seed Mix, Songbirds Seed & Fruit Mix, Nesting & Young Bird Seed Mix, Winter Warmer Seed Mix and Complete 5 in 1 Bird Food. Excludes peanuts, sunflower hearts and niger seeds

 

Benefits of Attracting Birds to your Garden

As a nation we love birds, and most of us love to see them pecking about in our gardens, and swooping through the sky. But apart from their role in the local ecosystem, what actual benefits can be derived from actively encouraging birds to spend time in our gardens? 

• Pest Control: Many birds love to feast on insects, including aphids, mosquitoes, spiders and other bugs that you may not want in your garden. Attracting birds encourages them to take advantage of this natural food source, thus eliminating the need for harsh chemical insecticides.
• Flower Pollination: Some wild birds sip nectar and are efficient pollinators of garden flowers. This can give flowerbeds an added colour boost from extra blooms, which will in turn attract even more birds.
• Weed Control: Some wild birds will consume quantities of weed seeds, making them effective landscapers to help control unwanted plants. Planting seed-bearing flowers for birds can also give them a natural food source to enjoy without needing frequent feeder refills.
• Environmental Conservation: Bird-friendly planting  makes use of native plants and available resources in environmentally conscious ways. Native plants use less water and are more resistant to diseases, making them better for the local ecosystem and requiring less work to maintain.
• Education: Observing backyard birds is a unique opportunity to study local wildlife, and attracting birds all year round gives backyard birders the chance to see seasonal plumage changes, migration, courtship behaviour and nesting. This is also a great way to introduce children to wildlife enjoyment and appreciation, spreading birding across generations.
• Wildlife Conservation: As more habitats become threatened through development, attracting backyard birds provides a critical oasis for bird and wildlife conservation, both for local species and migrating birds. This helps preserve birds both in the yard and in the larger local environment.
• Stress Relief: Watching birds, interacting with them, listening to their songs and taking the time to work outdoors improving their habitat can help relieve stress and promote well-being. Time outdoors can also ensure backyard birders have an adequate supply of vitamin D and detoxify the body through fresh air.