Many of us finish the Christmas period with a fridge full of leftovers and an overflowing box of decorations to go back in the loft, but you can transform much of this excess into a festive gift for garden birds.
Insects and berries can be scarce at this time of year, so extras on the bird table will be welcomed, while nesting materials will come in handy from late January onwards.
1. Mince pies
Birds will happily tuck into broken-up pieces of this festive favourite. Pastry, whether it is cooked or uncooked, is a good energy source for birds as long as it is made with animal fats (butter or lard), as vegetable fats don’t provide enough for cold months. Dried fruits, such as raisins, sultanas and currants, are popular with blackbirds, song thrushes and robins. Soak dried fruit in water first to make it softer.
2. Door wreath
There’s no need to ditch your Christmas wreath come Twelfth Night. If it is made with natural foliage, so much the better, but even one made from synthetic materials can be transformed into a DIY nesting kit for birds. Wind some straw or dried grasses around it, and push in moss, undyed feathers and pieces of sheep’s wool picked from fences. You can even snag combings of pet hair onto the twigs. Move it from the front door and hang it from a tree in the back garden where birds will use the contents for nesting materials when the breeding season starts in February.
3. Suet
If you’ve made your Christmas pudding in the traditional way, then use any leftover beef suet to make fat balls.
• Gently melt it in a saucepan and add bird seed (two parts seed to one part suet).
• Pour the mixture into moulds (empty yogurt pots will do) and leave to cool in the fridge.
• If you decorated your hearth with pine cones, then roll these in the mixture and hang from trees outside (just make sure they haven’t been sprayed with paint or covered in glitter, as both can be toxic to birds).
DON'T use any fat left in the roasting tin after cooking the Christmas turkey or Boxing Day beef – cooled solidified fat, combined with meat juices, can easily smear onto a bird’s feathers and interfere with their waterproofing and insulation.
4. Roast potatoes
Of course, it is a rare occasion that any roasties are left uneaten after the roast dinners,
but the birds will happily snap them up if any are available. Jacket potatoes (broken open) and mash will also go down well. Chips will most likely be left on the lawn, but if you have an excess of rice from the turkey curry, they will gobble that up, too.
This feature is from Country Living Magazine. Subscribe here.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Garden mirrors: 13 outdoor mirrors to suit every space
If you're big on metallic accents inside your home, then there's no reason why you can't apply this decorating choice to your garden too. This gold-framed mirror has made our list because it's effortlessly chic and will elevate your outdoor space in an instant.
Boasting a sophisticated and contemporary style with a sleek black frame, this is a square version of the previously mentioned Fulbrook garden mirror. It features a distinctive window pane that will suit any outdoor space.
With an Art Deco-inspired design, this round outdoor mirror with sectioned panels will make a rather beautiful addition to your garden. It's made from a durable steel and glass construction and features a waterproof backing. Position near a seating area, or an outdoor kitchen or garden bar if you've got space for entertaining.
Not all garden mirrors have to be fancy. This Moroccan-inspired design features delicate curves and pointed edges, but everything else is pared-back for a minimalist look.
We love the large panes on this Fulbrook rectangular mirror from Garden Trading. Made from 100 per cent steel and with a powder-coated finish, position it on your wall to reflect the gorgeous greenery from a hedge or trailing plant.
Is this a mirror or a piece of art? Well, you get the best of both worlds with this contemporary design. It features five stylish half-circle mirrors and metal line designs, and would work perfectly in any contemporary garden.
Decorate your outside space with this rectangular mirror from Perch & Parrow. Finished in a vintage-inspired white colourway, it features an on-trend window pane design, and at £70, it's a steal!
Add a rustic feel to your space with this outdoor mirror, boasting a traditional quatrefoil grill pattern. It's perfect if you're looking for a longer mirror to fill large walls.
Outdoor mirrors can be decorative wall art too, as is proven with this utterly charming round mirror from Dunelm. In a neutral colourway, the outer iron frame extends to form a delicate depiction of the much-loved orchid flower.
Not keen on decorative styles? Keep it simple with this pared-back round outdoor mirror. It has a nature-inspired green rim and a nod to vintage design with its distressed finish.
This large arched garden mirror is frost-protected to withstand any weather. We love the black metal frame that's lightly distressed in gold leaf for a statement look.
Dunelm has got a great range of garden mirrors this year, and we've included this one on our list because it's perfect if you just want something small. The frame adds plenty of interest with an overlapping circular detail in a luxurious gold finish.
Looking like a window to a secret garden, this traditional-style garden mirror gives the illusion of an open pair of windows – ideal if you want to add depth to your outdoor space and make it appear bigger than it is.
