Caring for Garden Birds: How to Welcome Songbirds into Your Garden

 

There’s something deeply comforting about the flutter and song of garden birds. Their cheerful presence brings life to even the smallest outdoor space, reminding us of the natural world just beyond the window. Whether you have a wild corner or a tidy courtyard you can help your local birds thrive — and in return, enjoy their company all year round.

 

Creating a Bird-Friendly Garden

Attracting birds begins with creating a space that feels safe, natural, and full of food. You don’t need to transform your garden overnight — even small changes can make a real difference.

1. Plant for Shelter and Food
   Shrubs like hawthorn, holly, cotoneaster, and berberis provide both protection and berries. Native hedging is especially valuable for nesting birds and insects, which in turn feed insect-eating species. In small spaces, a few pots with dwarf varieties or topiary (holly and viburnums are good choices) might suffice. If you have a larger garden, you may even consider small trees like rowans or Cornus Kousa. Not only do they provide food for birds during the cold months, but they are also highly decorative, in summer when in bloom and in Autumn when their foliage prepares to shed.
   If space allows, leave a small area of your garden a little wild. A dense shrub or even a climbing ivy wall offers safe roosting and nesting spots.

Viburnum berries, Photo by Peter Giters

1. Provide Fresh Water
   Birds need water for both drinking and bathing. A birdbath or shallow dish refreshed regularly will attract a variety of species — particularly in summer and during cold snaps when natural sources freeze. Place it in a quiet area with some nearby cover so birds feel safe from predators.

1. Offer Safe Nesting Spaces
   Nest boxes are a wonderful addition to any garden. Blue tits and great tits love boxes with small circular holes (around 25–28mm), while robins prefer open-fronted styles tucked into dense shrubs. Clean them out each autumn to reduce parasites and make them ready for next spring’s residents.

Camouflage nesting box, ideal for wrens

This nest box can adapt to small birds and robins, as the top front panel can be removed. 

Stylish alternative, with a removable panel to adapt to a wide range of garden birds.

Feeding Garden Birds – What to Offer and When

Different birds have different feeding habits, so variety is key. The right mix of food can encourage a healthy, diverse bird population in your garden. While it is important to feed your garden birds during the winter months when natural sources of food are scarce, it is good to continue on during the breeding season. Parents will be busy feeding their young and the food provided will provide the adults with the necessary energy to look for treats for the chicks. Birds may also become more dependant on you for their food.

Provide rich and nutritious food in the winter: suet cakes, fat balls and nuts, high in fat and protein to help the birds keep warm. Prefer seed, mealworm and berries during the warmer months.

 

Robins

Robins are friendly ground feeders that enjoy mealworms, soft fruits, and suet pellets. They prefer food placed on a low table or directly on the ground (although the second is not recommended where rodents are found).  During the breeding season, live mealworms are especially appreciated, providing much-needed protein for growing chicks.

 

Tits (Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits)

These agile birds love hanging feeders. They’ll flock to sunflower hearts, peanuts (in mesh feeders only), and fat balls. High-energy foods are vital in winter, helping them survive cold nights. Blue tits are also regular visitors to gardens with plenty of insect-friendly planting like lavender, verbena, and foxgloves. (more on pollinator-friendly gardens).

Finches (Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch)

Finches adore seeds. Goldfinches in particular are drawn to nyjer seed (you will need a special feeder for these as the seeds are so small), while chaffinches and greenfinches enjoy mixed seed blends. A seed feeder with small ports hung near shrubs or trees is ideal, offering both food and a quick escape route from predators.

Wrens

Tiny but bold, wrens feed on insects and spiders, but they’ll also take crushed mealworms and soft suet during cold months. Encourage wrens by keeping a little leaf litter or log pile in a sheltered corner — it’s full of the invertebrates they love to hunt.

Dunnocks (Hedge Sparrows)

Shy ground feeders, dunnocks like to forage quietly beneath bushes. Scatter small seeds or oatmeal at ground level to tempt them out. They appreciate quiet, sheltered gardens with thick planting where they can move unseen.

 

Feeding Tips and Best Practices

• Feed all year round, but especially in winter and early spring when natural food is scarce.
• Keep feeders clean to prevent disease. Use warm, soapy water and rinse well before refilling.
• Avoid salted or processed foods — plain, unsalted nuts, seeds, and oats are best.
• Place feeders near cover, such as shrubs or small trees, giving birds somewhere to retreat quickly if startled.
• Offer variety — seeds, suet, mealworms, and fresh water will keep a wide range of species visiting regularly.
• Detering opportunist feeders — Use squirrel-proof feeders, should these little mammals compete with the small birds. It would also discourage crows. When larger birds (magpies, starlings …) tend to bully the smaller ones, the best is to have several feeders. Smaller birds will feed on the least busy ones during the day. Avoid spillage of seeds on the ground by placing a tray under the feeder or using a feeder already fitted with one. It will keep rodents at bay.

 

In Summary

Creating a haven for birds doesn’t require a large garden or elaborate setup. A mix of planting, safe shelter, clean water, and varied food can turn even a small patch into a sanctuary. By supporting robins, tits, finches, wrens, and dunnocks, you’re helping preserve Ireland’s beloved garden birdlife and they will help you in return by keeping your slug and snail population down in the Summer!

If you would like to go a bit further, check out the books from the shop.