UK households urged to do 1 simple thing for birds to 'flock to your garden'

Brits looking to attract more birds to their gardens have been told that encouraging them might be easier than they think, and it doesn't necessarily require seeds or bread.

Instead, there's a much simpler item that you likely have easy access to, which is said to be irresistible to our feathered friends. A woman, known as The Floral Gardener on TikTok, has shared a hack that is not only easy to implement and cost-effective but also guarantees regular avian visitors to your garden. She reassures that there's no need to fret over providing seeds, as there are alternative ways to entice the birds to pay you a visit. In an online video clip, she revealed: "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 and putting out food for them, and putting 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 gardens. In my front garden, I feed the birds but, in the back garden, I only offer water, and guess what? There are tons of birds every single day in my back garden."

The Floral Gardener further explains that she has three water features and a pond but, if you're on a budget, bowls of water or plant pots filled with water work just as well. They'll be content with anything that holds water.

In addition to drinking it, they'll also bathe in it, so birds love it for more than one reason. She also mentioned it's a good idea to water your grass, as birds also love wet soil.

This is because it enables them to reach worms more easily. If you give it a go, she said you'll likely be "absolutely amazed", and others seemed to agree.

After she posted the video, one person said: "We can't feed them, as I have tortoises, but we provide a big bowl of fresh water daily and doves, wood pigeons, starlings and gold finches visit daily for drinks/baths."

Another added: "Yes, I had feeders and all the droppings of crumbs make a nasty mess and encourages mice and rats. I have rasied a pond and lots of birds visit daily to drink and have a bath."

Why you should put water outside

If you're hoping to attract birds to your garden, it's a really good idea to put water outside. Setting out something like a shallow dish of water outdoors is one of the most effective methods to invite them in.

Birds require water for drinking and bathing. This means offering a clean, fresh supply will make your garden much more attractive to them.

Water even helps to maintain their feathers in good condition, so it's well worth having some available. If they discover a spot where they know they're able to drink and bathe, they are far more likely to come back.

If you don't have a bird bath, simply put out a shallow dish of water. This can work just as well. Ensure it's kept clean and refreshed daily, particularly during warmer weather, to help prevent disease spread. Also, when the weather turns chilly, be sure to remove any ice formations.