How to help our beloved birds!

Discover simple yet impactful ways to support the UK's Red Listed birds. Learn how your actions can make a real difference and help protect these vital species.

Why our birds need your help

Many birds that once thrived in the UK, such as the Herring Gull and the Tree Sparrow, are now on the Red List. This means their populations are in severe decline. You might be surprised to learn that these familiar species are at risk, so I aim to shed light on their plight. These are not just birds for bird lovers; they are an integral part of our natural heritage, and their future depends on us.

Simple actions for your garden

Even small changes in your garden can create a haven for birds. Consider these easy steps:

  • Plant native and berry-rich plants: Introduce native shrubs and berry-rich hedges, such as hawthorn, rowan, and ivy. These provide year-round natural foraging opportunities, offering essential food and shelter.
  • Install nest boxes: Put up nest boxes in quiet, sheltered spots, ensuring they are suitable for the types of birds commonly found in your area. This offers crucial breeding sites and protection.
  • Let Areas Grow Wild: Leave patches of grass long and create log piles to encourage insects, which are a vital protein source for breeding birds and chicks. 

  • Practise safe, seasonal feeding

    • November to April: offer high-energy foods such as seeds and peanuts.
    • May-October: offer small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suet if needed. Avoid seed and peanut feeders during Summer as these increase rapid spread of disease.
    • Clean weekly: wash feeders and bird baths with hot soapy water and a safe disinfectant.
    • Move feeders: stop droppings and old food building up in one place, so as to reduce contamination.
    • Use hanging feeders: avoid flat bird tables where disease can spread more easily.

This feeding regime can significantly impact local bird populations, particularly finches and help reverse their decline.

Support conservation and take action

Beyond your garden, you can contribute to wider conservation efforts. By supporting organisations dedicated to bird research and habitat protection, you help secure a future for our feathered friends. You can also become a part of our mission directly:

  • Donate to or join the RSPB or the British Trust for Ornithology: Your contribution helps support vital bird research, habitat protection, and conservation work across the UK.
  • Purchase a Bird On The Brink print! Each print sold not only brings joy to your home but also contributes directly to conservation. A donation to the RSPB is included in the price, along with information on the featured bird and advice on small, easy actions you can take to help....Shop
  • Participate in citizen science: Conservationists rely on decades of collected data to identify which species are struggling and where. Join surveys like the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, the world’s largest wildlife survey, to help researchers monitor common bird numbers.

                                        Any single one of the above actions will make a difference to our bird populations!