Make fat balls for birds
In winter, small garden birds can lose bodyweight fast. To survive, they need foods packed with energy. You can give them a helping hand by providing seed-packed fat balls.
These are particularly popular with tits and sparrows, but you might also spot hungry crows and woodpeckers stopping by for a feast too.
You will need
lard (or suet, if you prefer)
birdseed
a pine cone
twine
How this can help
Providing birds with high energy food is invaluable. It's particularly helpful in winter, when other food resources may be scarce.
Encouraging birds to visit your garden by providing them with fat balls or other food can be beneficial to your mental health. Birdsong is known to have a therapeutic effect on us.
By watching which birds visit your feeder, you'll get to know the species found in your local area and improve your identification skills. You could even record which species you see and contribute to a wildlife survey.
Further reading
Follow our fat ball recipe and get tips for success
