As the temperature rises, homeowners across the country have been turning their focus to their gardens in preparation for summer. Many are also seeking ways to welcome more wildlife into their outdoor spaces, particularly birds. This prompted one keen gardener to reveal the straightforward trick she relies on to draw birds into her garden and ensure they keep returning.
The Secret: Water, Not Seed
On TikTok, user @the_floral_gardener shared her simple yet effective method. She said: 'Want birds in your garden? Forget the seed. This works better and it's free. It's frustrating when you're making so much effort, putting food out for them and hanging bird boxes up, and they're still not coming.'
'This is what works. Water. Give birds multiple water sources and they will flock to your garden. In my front garden, I feed the birds, but in the back garden I only offer water. And guess what? There's tons of birds every single day. In my back garden, I've got three water features and a pond.'
Cost-Effective Alternatives
For those watching their spending, she recommended using bowls of water or plant pot saucers as alternatives, noting that they 'work just as well'. She added: 'Anything that holds water, they'll be happy with. They drink it, they bathe in it, they just love it.'
She also offered a bonus tip: 'Water your grass. Birds love wet soil because they can get to the worms easily. Try it, you'll be absolutely amazed.'
Viewers Share Their Experiences
Responding to her video, one viewer wrote: 'Yes, I had feeders and all the droppings and crumbs make a nasty mess and encourage mice and rats. I have a raised pond and lots of birds visit daily to drink and have a bath.' A second viewer added: 'I've got four bird baths out and never seen a bird use them. I'm living on a building site - a new build. Hoping when they've gone we get birds.'
A third viewer commented: 'We can't feed them as I have tortoises, but we provide a big bowl of fresh water daily and doves, wood pigeons, starlings, sparrows and goldfinches visit every day for drinks and baths. The magpies come to wet any bread they've found elsewhere before eating. Blew my mind when I first realised what they were doing.' Yet another viewer shared: 'Beautiful garden. I used to have plenty of frogs and birds until neighbours with cats moved in.'
