Give garden birds a helping hand this winter with elho

From energy-rich winter treats to front-row seats for birdwatching, discover simple ways to support feathered visitors through the colder months.

As temperatures tumble and gardens settle into their winter slumber, our feathered friends face one of their toughest times of the year.

With natural food sources becoming harder to find, daylight hours dwindling and chilly weather increasing the energy birds need to stay warm, a little extra help from us can make a welcome difference.

And while our gardens might not be quite as colourful or bustling as they are in spring and summer, there's still plenty of wildlife to enjoy. From robins hopping across frosty lawns to blue tits darting between branches, winter can be a wonderful time to watch the birds that visit our outdoor spaces.

Now, sustainable plant pot and accessory manufacturer elho is encouraging gardeners to give nature a helping hand, with its newly expanded bird feeder collection making it easier than ever to create a welcoming winter haven for wildlife.

Designed in collaboration with European bird experts and made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, the latest additions offer practical feeding solutions for gardens, balconies and windows, combining thoughtful functionality with contemporary design.

Here are five simple ways to give garden birds a helping hand this winter.

1. Keep the bird buffet topped up

When temperatures drop, birds need plenty of energy to keep warm, but finding enough food can become increasingly challenging.

Providing a regular supply of nutritious food is one of the easiest ways to help, particularly during prolonged periods of cold or frost.

Different species have different preferences, so offering a variety of foods can encourage more visitors. Sunflower hearts are popular with many garden birds, while good-quality seed mixes can attract everything from sparrows and tits to finches.

For a practical and attractive feeding solution, elho's new cosy feeder silo can hold up to 500g of bird food, providing plenty of space for hungry visitors to stop by.

Designed with species including tits, sparrows, starlings and nuthatches in mind, the feeder combines a softly rounded shape with a practical design, and is available in mushroom beige and tuscan red.

Position it in a quiet spot with good visibility, and remember to clean and replenish it regularly to keep your visitors happy and healthy.

2. Serve up some high-energy winter treats

Just like us, birds need a little extra fuel when the weather turns particularly chilly.

Suet balls are a popular winter food, providing energy-rich nourishment that can be especially valuable during cold spells.

elho's new cosy suet ball feeder offers a stylish way to serve them up, with its compact, rounded design fitting neatly among branches and garden greenery.

Holding up to three suet balls without the need for plastic netting, it's a simple addition to a tree or feeding station, and comes in mushroom beige and tuscan red.

For a more natural look, the organic suet ball feeder features flowing, nature-inspired styling in chestnut brown, blending beautifully into established planting.

It also holds three suet balls without nets, providing a convenient feeding point for visiting birds.

Whichever style you choose, hang feeders securely in a sheltered location, ideally at least 1.5 metres above the ground, and check them regularly to ensure food remains fresh.

3. Bring birdwatching closer to home

You don't need a sprawling country garden to enjoy the sights and sounds of winter wildlife.

Even a balcony or a well-positioned window can become a popular stopping point for visiting birds, helping bring a little nature into everyday life.

For those who love watching wildlife up close, elho's new cosy window feeder offers a front-row seat.

Attaching directly to clean, dry glass using suction cups, the feeder holds up to 1kg of bird food, making it possible to watch feathered visitors feeding just outside the window.

Its softly rounded design is available in mushroom beige and tuscan red, while the essential window feeder offers a more minimalist alternative in fibrous grey.

Both designs have been developed with European bird experts and are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, making them a thoughtful choice for wildlife lovers looking to make the most of smaller spaces.

Choose a quiet window, follow the installation instructions and check the suction cups regularly to keep everything secure.

4. Don't forget fresh water

It's easy to focus on food during winter, but access to fresh water is just as important for garden birds.

When temperatures fall below freezing, ponds, puddles and bird baths can become covered in ice, leaving wildlife struggling to find somewhere to drink.

Providing a shallow dish of clean water can make a real difference. Check it daily during cold spells, remove any ice and replace the water as needed.

For those looking for a more permanent garden feature, elho's cosy bird feeder (£14.99) offers a multifunctional design that can be used as both a sheltered feeding station and a bird bath.

With removable components for easy cleaning, alongside ventilation and drainage holes, it's designed to make caring for garden birds straightforward.

The organic bird feeder (£19.99) offers a similarly versatile option, with nature-inspired curves and flexible mounting options for walls, fences and trees.

Use either product for food or water as appropriate, and clean thoroughly between uses.

5. Leave a little winter wilderness

While it can be tempting to give the garden a thorough tidy before winter arrives, leaving a few areas undisturbed can provide valuable food and shelter for wildlife.

Seed heads from plants such as sunflowers and teasels can attract hungry birds, while fallen leaves, dense shrubs and established hedges offer places for insects to shelter, creating additional feeding opportunities.

Berry-producing plants such as holly, hawthorn and rowan can also provide a natural winter feast.

Try leaving a corner of the garden a little untidy, allowing nature to do its thing while giving wildlife somewhere to shelter from the elements.

And don't forget to keep feeding stations clean. Regular washing, removing old food and keeping the surrounding area tidy can all help reduce the risk of disease spreading between visiting birds.

A little help goes a long way

Supporting garden birds through winter doesn't have to involve a complete garden makeover.

Whether it's hanging a suet ball feeder from a branch, adding a seed feeder to the patio or creating a birdwatching spot by the kitchen window, small changes can help make outdoor spaces more welcoming to wildlife.

And there's something rather lovely about enjoying a cup of tea on a frosty morning while watching the comings and goings of your garden's feathered visitors.

With its new bird feeder collection, elho is making it easier to give nature a little extra room, even when outdoor space is limited.

To discover the full collection, visit www.elho.com.

Ends

Editors notes

RRP

cosy bird feeder silo - from £9.99

cosy window feeder - from £9.99

cosy suet ball feeder - from £4.99

essential feeder bowl - £9.99

essential bird feeder silo - £9.99

essential window feeder - £9.99

essential suet ball feeder - £4.99

organic bird feeder silo - £9.99

organic suet ball feeder - £4.99

elho is a plant pot innovator on a mission to inspire as many people as possible to surround themselves with greenery and nature. It does this through creating beautiful, sustainable plant pots and accessories, both for inside the home and for outdoor spaces, whether you have a garden, patio or balcony. Designed to make plant care easy and accessible for everyone, its wide range of products feature clever innovations, such as built-in water reservoirs and invisible wheels, and are created with style at the forefront.

The family business was founded in 1964 and since 2019 elho is proud to call itself a B Corp. As of January 2024, all of its products are made from 100% recycled plastic using wind energy, and are 100% recyclable. In addition, elho has an A-class TÜV certification for the use of recycled plastic.