About Garden Birds in Winter
Winter can feel still and quiet, but the garden is full of tiny travellers working hard to stay warm.
Robins are usually more solitary and hop boldly across frosty paths, blue tits and great tits perform little acrobatics among the branches, and wrens flicker low to the ground like tiny sparks. Once you start noticing them, the whole garden seems alive.
Here are a few simple ways to enjoy their visits and support them through the colder months.
Spotting, Feeding & Helping Garden Birds in Winter
Spotting Birds in Winter
Different birds have different winter habits, and it can be fun for families to look out for them together.
Robins are bright, brave and curious. You’ll often see them hopping close by, especially when someone is digging or sweeping.
Blackbirds are usually searching leaf piles and frosty grass for berries and insects.
Blue tits & great tits are quick, colourful and endlessly busy. They explore twigs and branches looking for hidden insects.
Wrens are small and shy. They dart between low shrubs and hedges with a short, cheerful call.
Children love spotting tracks too – tiny prints in snow or mud can show where birds have been exploring.
Feeding Garden Birds Safely
Even one small treat helps. Birds visit many gardens in a day, so there’s no pressure to feed them continually.
Good choices:
- A good seed mix
- Suet or lard mixed with seed (great for warmth)
- Fat balls without nets
- Cut fruit for blackbirds and thrushes
Avoid:
- Bread – it fills birds up without proper nutrients
- Anything salty or sugary
- Mouldy seed
- Sticky foods that can harm feathers
Fresh water matters too
Birds need water for drinking and keeping their feathers healthy. A shallow dish or bird bath with clean water is perfect, especially when puddles freeze.
Where to Place Feeders
A little care with placement keeps birds safe and relaxed.
- Put feeders near hedges, shrubs or small trees so birds can hide quickly.
- Keep feeders clean to prevent illness.
- Try to keep cats indoors during busy feeding times.
- Avoid hanging feeders too close to windows unless you have stickers or markers to prevent collisions.
Molly always pauses on her morning stroll to listen to the flutter of wings and tiny rustles around the bushes.
Make Your Own Mug Bird Feeder
This simple winter craft brings a little creativity and a lot of joy. Children love helping, and birds appreciate the extra energy on cold mornings.
You will need:
- A ceramic mug
- Bird seed
- Suet or lard
- A small stick to make a natural perch
- Ribbon, twine or garden string for hanging
Tip: Try 1 part suet or lard to 2 parts bird seed. This makes a firm, bird-friendly mix and you can adjust the amounts to fit your mug.
How to make it:
- Melt the suet gently until soft.
- Stir in the seed mix until thick.
- Fill the mug almost to the top.
- Push stick into the mixture so it points outwards.
- Thread ribbon or twine through the mug handle and tie it securely.
- Chill until firm.
- Hang the mug on its side with the open end slightly upward so the food stays inside.
Natural alternatives:
If you don’t have a mug, you can fill a coconut shell or a half orange peel with the same mixture. They are sturdy, wildlife-friendly and look lovely.
A grown-up should help with melting fat and tying knots.
A small kindness goes a long way
Winter can be tough for little birds, but they face it with remarkable courage. A tray of fresh water, a sprinkle of seed or a homemade feeder is more than enough to help.
Molly loves watching the colourful visitors that arrive when there’s a treat waiting. However small your outdoor space, you can always make a corner of winter a little brighter.