UK gardeners urged to leave piles of sticks in garden as cold weather sets in
Autumn and winter offer a unique and rewarding experience for garden birdwatchers, as the changing seasons bring a dynamic mix of birds activity
View Image Leaving piles of sticks in the corners of your garden make great foraging spots for birds Image: Getty
Gardeners across the UK are being encouraged to leave stick piles in their gardens during October as the seasons shift.
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Autumn and winter provide a distinctive and fulfilling experience for garden bird enthusiasts, as the changing weather brings varied bird activity.
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Migrating birds travel through or settle briefly, whilst native species adjust to chillier conditions and form their winter routines.
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As natural food supplies become limited, gardens can transform into essential feeding areas, making it a perfect opportunity to help these birds with extra food and refuge.
In exchange, bird watchers enjoy a vibrant and often captivating show of behaviour, colour, and song, transforming even the most peaceful garden into a centre of seasonal wildlife.
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According to Maria Kincaid, in-house Ornithologist and Research Specialist for FeatherSnap, several approaches can encourage birds to visit gardens even in the approaching months.
She recommended that creating stick piles or fallen leaf heaps in garden corners provides excellent foraging locations for ground-feeding birds, reports the Express.
She said: A messy garden is a bird friendly one! Leaving piles of sticks or fallen leaves in the corners of your garden make great foraging spots for ground feeding birds, and leaving seed heads on flowers will encourage seedeaters to come in for a snack.
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These natural materials draw insects, worms, and other small invertebrates that birds such as robins, blackbirds, and thrushes enjoy hunting for. Leaf litter provides both shelter and camouflage, making birds feel safer as they forage.
These piles also mimic the forest floor, offering a familiar environment for species that naturally feed at ground level.
By letting parts of your garden stay a bit wild, it thought you
e supporting biodiversity and providing birds with a reliable food source, particularly during colder months when food is scarce.
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In addition to this, the expert has encouraged creating a healthy habitat for birds.
She explained that building a bird-friendly garden begins with establishing a healthy habitat that supports the entire ecosystem.
Incorporating native plants offers familiar food sources and shelter, while promoting a thriving insect population gives birds plenty to forage on.
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Adding natural cover and nesting spots – such as shrubs, trees, or bird boxes – makes your garden even more welcoming.
It also crucial to limit the use of pesticides, as many birds depend on insects for nourishment.
By nurturing a balanced environment, you not only aid in pollinating your plants but also attract a diverse range of birds that contribute to the vitality and beauty of your outdoor space.,
