How to create a springtime feast for birds

There’s lots of birdlife in the air this season, so now’s the time to think about how your garden provides the feed to fuel it.

Depending on your location within our fair isles, spring may have you dusting off the lawnmower and pulling weeds from soil that has stayed mostly stagnant for the past few months. 

Wherever you are, this time of year also brings a rise in flapping, hopping, tweeting, chirping, diving and even fighting as the local birds begin looking for mates, building nests and foraging for the food that was so scarce over the winter.

Keeping predators out, adding a feeder or two, and bolstering your backyard with native trees and shrubs are the best ways to ensure there is enough for all. 

Secure the perimeter!

The biggest threat to birds, along with habitat destruction, is mammalian predators. Fortunately, there are easy ways to make a difference in your patch with a backyard trapping system.

Start by finding out who’s lurking nearby with chew cards, tracking tunnels or noting the size and consistency of any poops you find in the garden. Then, check out Predator Free NZ’s guide to choosing the right trap. They have a ton of great tips and tricks for monitoring the impact of your traps and varying your approach if the results aren’t as expected.

Native for natives

While it may not keep that pesky blackbird from pecking away at our newly planted spring vegetables, native planting provides important sources of food for native birds throughout the year.

So what to plant? This video we made in collaboration with the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust gives some in-depth advice and a full list of the best shrubs and trees for feeding our native birds. 

Here are some favourites for attracting native wildlife.

• Tūi enjoy nectar from the flowers of harakeke (flax)
• Kōtukutuku (tree fuchsia) attracts tūi, korimako (bellbird) and tauhou (silvereye)
• Kōwhai is loved by tūi and korimako for its sweet nectar 
• Coprosma species and makomako (wineberry) shrubs attract a range of native birds with their juicy berries
• Hebe species provide a haven for insects, which then bring korimako, pīwakawaka (fantail) and tauhou to feed

For a more localised list, keep your eyes peeled when walking around the neighbourhood. What’s doing well, and where? Neighbours can also be a great source of local planting wisdom, and they may even pass you over some cuttings or seeds to get you started.

Planning your planting

Avoid planting high value feed plants like flax and kōwhai too close to the house as birds may get confused by reflections from your windows.

Think ahead. How big will that tree get in five or ten years? If it’s likely you’ll be moving it in the future because it blocks your sun, put it elsewhere.

Low-growing plants that spread, like flaxes and hebes, are great for slopes and banks that are difficult to access for weeding and mowing. This is a win-win for humans, birds and native lizards, who love to hide and feed among low-lying shrubs.

The more they feed, the more they breed

While your plants are settling in and growing, a feeder can tide your bird friends over.

A specialised nectar feeder will be very popular with nectarivarous native birds, as will an energy food feeder (watch the tauhou come flocking). If you live in a spot prone to spring frosts, these essential vegetable fats will help boost them up. Sprinkling a few mealworms on a feeding station will bring the insectivores, and cut fruit provides an appealing energy boost.

A clean bird bath that is out of predators’ reach is another way you can help to keep birds going during their spring activities. Water keeps them hydrated but also helps them clean their feathers, and somewhat counter-intuitively, stay warm on colder days.

Some feeding tips:

• Don’t give bread or cooked food like porridge. This is bad for birds and will also attract rodents.
• Clean your bird feeder at least once per week with warm soapy water.
• Clear away any uneaten food and don’t leave dropped scraps on the ground, as birds can be put in harm’s way when they go low to eat them.