Mike, Author at Garden Birds

Robin

13 August 20196 September 2019Mike

Familiar to almost everyone, the Robin was recently voted Britain’s National Bird. This is no surprise since it can be very tame and a gardener’s favourite, and of course is a popular symbol of Christmas!

Scientific name: Erithacus rubecula

Is there anything you’d like to know about Robins that isn’t covered here? Please ask us in the comments below.

From the elm-tree’s topmost bough
Hark! the Robin’s early song!
Telling one and all that now
Merry spring-time hastes along;
Welcome tidings dost thou bring,
Little harbinger of spring:
Robin’s come!
Of the winter we are weary,
Weary of the frost and snow;
Longing for the sunshine cheery,
And the brooklet’s gurgling flow;
Gladly then we hear thee sing
The reveille of spring:
Robin’s come!
Robin’s Come, by William Warner Caldwell

Robin singing, collecting nesting material, and feeding its chicks © RSPB

Feeding Birds Peanuts

9 August 201921 August 2019Mike

Peanuts Growing — Peanuts growing © Preston Keres

Peanuts are probably the most familiar food to feed wild birds, except maybe for bread! And feeding birds peanuts is a great way to enjoy the antics and acrobatics of birds on your feeders.

Did you know however, that a peanut is not actually a nut at all?! Peanuts are legumes, so related to peas and beans rather than nuts. Unlike ‘other’ nuts, they do not grow on trees but are actually tubers and grow much like potatoes.

Why feed peanuts to birds?

Peanuts are highly nutritious, being rich in protein, essential fat and natural oils. They are therefore a great source of energy, especially in winter when natural food is harder to find.

About Us

22 July 201929 August 2019Mike

Garden Birds

Whether it’s a Robin looking for earthworms in a British garden, a Cardinal feeding on sunflower seeds in an American backyard, a stunning Rainbow Lorikeet in a bottle brush tree in Australia, or the incessant call of the Asian Koel during the Indian summer, garden birds are the easiest way for most of us to get close to and appreciate the joys of nature.

This website is about sharing the wonders of garden birds wherever you are in the world, with information about the birds and how to attract and enjoy them in your own garden. It describes the common garden birds, and how to attract them with their basic needs of food, water and shelter.