Share

Get birdwatching this January

Are you searching for a new way to enjoy the outdoors? Give birdwatching a go! Watching wildlife can be one of life’s simple pleasures – and our avian friends are particularly industrious in January.

If you would like to welcome more birds to your home, however big or small, consider putting up a bird feeder. January is the best time to ensure your birdfeeder is well stocked as this is the time of year when birds can struggle to find enough food to see them through.

Winter means fewer insects, wild seeds and berries – so supplementary feeding in you garden is greatly appreciated! Feeders should have a thorough clean outdoors, with warm soapy water and rinse well to help prevent spread of diseases.

Goldfinch © Adrian Andruchiw

Goldfinch © Adrian Andruchiw 

Goldfinches - The striking red crown, golden back, and bright yellow wings of the goldfinch make it one of our prettiest garden birds. It eats small seeds, especially from ragwort, dandelions and teasels (their long, pointed bills help them to extract the seeds), as well as invertebrates. During winter, goldfinches roam about in flocks of up to 100 birds, searching for food.

For the birdfeeder: Smaller birds like siskin, redpoll and goldfinch love smaller seeds like the little, black nyjer seeds. Make sure to get a suitable feeder as these little seeds flow easily through larger mesh holes.

Blue tit clinging to branch

Blue tit (C) Rod Jones

Blue tits: Smaller than the great tit, blue tits are active feeders, hunting out insects and spiders among the smaller branches and leaves of trees in. In winter, they will form flocks with other tits, roaming the countryside and visiting gardens in groups. Blue tits have a trilling, 'tsee-tsee-tsee' song.

For the birdfeeder: Sunflower hearts and seeds are high in protein and healthy fats that provide vital nutrition for all sorts of birds. Greenfinches, tits and blackbirds are particularly fond of them.

Robin in snow - Stewart McDonald

Robin (c) Stewart McDonald

Robins: Robins are one of our most common and unmistakable garden birds. They’re very friendly and sing all year round, and like high-up places to sign from. In the winter, it can sound wistful, although it strengthens in the post-Christmas period.

For the birdfeeder: Robins and thrushes love mealworms. Make sure to put these on a taller platform, away from the ground, as mealworms can be toxic to hedgehogs who may still forage occasionally throughout winter.

The State of Yorkshire’s Nature Report published in 2024 outlined the vital importance of our gardens for wildlife, particularly in urban spaces where connecting lines of greenery have been lost. Many of our smaller birds like swifts, tree sparrows and bearded tits are struggling, and are relying increasingly on the green space our gardens provide.

Related blog posts