When you put out bird feed, you never know what kind of birds you’ll attract. While you can select certain feeds that are more popular with certain birds, you can never predict exactly what birds will come to visit your garden.

While having any feathered friend come to visit is a delight, putting out food for birds can also entice some more unwelcome visitors. Bird feeders can be an attractive sight for garden rats, and they can be inclined to help themselves to the feed.

Bird feeding is an excellent, worth-while and rewarding activity. Birds in areas with bird feeders are generally in overall better health than those who have no access to supplementary nutrition, especially during periods of inclement weather. By giving them the nutrients they require at the time they need them, we can make a world of difference for the futures of our winged friends.

You don't need a large garden to make birds feel at home!

It's estimated that there will be more than 28.3 million households in the UK by the end of 2022. Because space is limited, new build estates are smaller than they used to be, and the size of the average British garden is trending downwards too.

Bees are an important part of our ecosystem – in fact, they’re a part of almost every ecosystem across the world. They are responsible for the pollination of most fruit and veg, making them an essential part of our survival. This is why it is vital that we all do our part to help save the bees.

Here are some fun facts about bees to show how important they really are...

Wildflower seeds should be planted in the Spring, but there are other opportunities to plant wildflowers throughout the year.

Wildflowers are a great addition to any garden for a wide number of reasons. Their beautiful bright colours bring a radiant splash to any outdoor space, and their varying shapes are totally unique. Wildflowers bring the promise of something new every year with each bloom.

Not only are wildflowers beautiful, but they also do a great amount to support your local ecosystem. Bees and butterflies love them, and bees are great pollinators so their presence will help your garden flourish and support local biodiversity. Although planting a few wildflower seeds in your garden might not seem like much, every little helps.

Suet cakes are a wonderful high-fat snack for our little feathered friends, and are a great source of essential nutrients. Their high-fat content makes them a perfect treat for the winter months, but they can be enjoyed all year round.

Peanuts have been a popular offering for garden birds for centuries! Did you know they're are actually legumes and not technically 'nuts'?

Nonetheless, peanuts are rich in fats, oils and protein making them especially good for improving the health of birds. They are grown all over the world and come in many different shapes and sizes, but which birds actually eat them?

The UK has three native species of woodpecker; the great spotted woodpecker, the lesser spotted woodpecker and the green woodpecker. As well known as they are, "seen but not heard" definitely isn't an expression that would ever be used to describe woodpeckers!

Taking a walk through the woods you may often hear the tell-tale thrumming and knocking of a woodpecker nearby, but you'd be lucky if you happened to catch a glimpse of their distinctive red head and stripy wings.