Sound like the title to a song you’ve heard before? Well, if you fancy hearing birds warbling away in your garden as merrily as Julie Andrews in the successful Mary Poppins film, then take heed of the song title and provide some sustenance to tempt them into your space. Once birds learn where there is a regular supply of food they will keep coming back, so there is no time like the present to start encouraging them.

Endless but tuneful lyrics
Singing species in this county include blackbirds, which can be heard singing from chimneys, aerials and tree tops from spring onwards. They love to wander off into endless but tuneful lyrics whilst the similar sounding song thrush repeats its short lines two or three times.

Other songsters include the wren who tries to get War and Peace into a fifteen second burst of rapid song, and the shy dunnock which sings much more slowly. Then there are chaffinches with their short dry song usually ending in their distinctive “pink pink” call.

And of course, there is the robin. This red breasted songbird is the only species to sing all year round – even on Christmas Day – snow or no snow, which is why they appear on Christmas cards.

Hanging fat balls near to a window allows close up viewing of the birds’ antics
Birds need to eat around half their body weight each day – more in cold or wet weather. As much as cold and hungry garden birds will eat anything on offer, it is worth providing them with calorie and protein rich food rather than just bread, which is bulky but not very nourishing.

Over the winter period ‘fat’ balls containing a mixture of ‘good’ fat and seeds is a great way to feed birds. Several sources recommend removing any nylon mesh first because this can trap feet and cause injury. Hanging them near to a window allows close up viewing of the birds’ antics, which children will find enthralling. However, they can also be put onto a bird table or on the ground.

Avoid salty bacon fat
Making your own fat balls is great fun and gives children something to do on a wet afternoon. Use a ratio of one third melted fat to two thirds food (seeds, nuts, oats, dried fruit etc.). It is important to use only melted lard or beef suet because soft fat and oils will not set and end up smeared on feathers, destroying their insulating and waterproofing properties. Salt is also a toxin to birds so avoid bacon fat.

Moulds to set the mix in can be made from coconut shells cut in half, shallow plastic cups or any other receptacle. To make a suspended fat ball make sure there is a length of string set through the mix.

It is important to have drinking water available
Fat balls and peanut feeders attract most species including blue tits and finches. Wrens and dunnock like grated cheese placed somewhere quiet, whilst blackbirds and thrushes will savour chopped fruit such as apples and pears. Identifying and counting the feeding species is a great way to spend a cold miserable day.

It is also important to have drinking water available either in a bird bath or shallow container on the ground. Never melt frozen water with salt – use boiling water.