Watch the BIRDS

See how many of these feathered friends you can spot in your garden this summer

- ANNABEL KEMP

From red-breasted robins to flurries of greenfinches, our gardens play host to a colourful array of hopping and chirruping birds as the weather warms up. Welcoming them with tasty snacks and cosy shelters is a wonderful way to enjoy birdwatching from home.

Robin

Instantly recognisable, robins produce up to five broods a year, from March to July. They’ll often build nests in dense hedges, so ivy and holly provide the perfect shelter. Help robins feed their young by leaving nutritious mealworms on a bird table.

Starling

Probably the noisiest of all garden visitors, the starling can mimic other birds, car alarms and ringing phones, although they pause their singing when moulting in July and August. In summer, their black plumage is iridescent with purple and green hues. Dried mealworms or premium suet balls are ideal for parents feeding their young.