Food for thought to feed the birds

It is one of my ambitions to have the sort of garden that is a haven to birds -- although I can boast spotting a visiting woodpecker, but only once!

Children are enthusiastic observers of the natural world and what better way to encourage this than by inviting a whole host of feathered friends into the garden. That's from a territorial robin to a playful blue tit or beautiful goldfinch.

And although it's a good idea to feed them all year round, it is especially important as we head towards winter. As well as food, remember to leave some water out for the birds too.

What to feed the birds

• Peanut butter toast: this is so simple, even the youngest members of the family can help. Toast some bread, make a hole in the top using a straw, spread some peanut butter on and smoosh in some bird seed. Tie some string through the hole and hang on a branch
• Strings of peanuts: peanuts are best put out in the winter months as there's a risk of baby birds choking on them in the spring so this is ideal for winter. Thread some cotton or florists' wire through the whole peanuts (or monkey nuts as we call them) and drape around a tree
• Garlands of fruit: dried cranberries or apple rings can all be strung like the peanuts above and hung from a tree. It's nice to decorate a tree in your garden at Christmas for the birds using these garlands
• Pine cone feeders: loop some string around one of the pine cone's ends, thickly spread peanut butter into the crevices, roll it into some bird seed and hang from a tree
• Recycled juice carton feeder: making and decorating this feeder will keep children occupied for quite a while
• Yoghurt pot feeders: adults will need to help children melt some lard in a pan, add bird seed and pour into a clean, empty yoghurt pot. Loop some string and knot it before adding to the pot, leaving the loop free. Pop into a fridge to cool. When it's set, turn it out of the pot and hang up
• Log feeders: drill some holes partially into a small log for your child then get them to fill the holes with suet. This can be placed on a bird table or, if you drill a hole all the way from one side to the other near the top, string can be looped through.

If you use different seed you'll attract different birds. Some like to feed from the ground, so don't forget to scatter bird seed on the floor. However, don't hang up nuts or fat balls in mesh bags as birds' feet can get caught up the small holes.

There is further advice on what to feed which birds and once you have attracted a variety into your garden this guide to garden birds may help.