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Spring Garden Visitors: How to Attract Birds to Your Garden in Charente

Updated: May 10

From one bird-loving garden to another, here are a few gentle tips we’ve learned along the way.



Now that spring is well underway here in Charente, the garden feels full of life again — birdsong in the mornings, fresh shoots on the hedges, and that lovely quiet hum that tells you everything is waking up. It’s our favourite time of year.


Over the past few years, we’ve picked up a few simple tricks for attracting birds into the garden — the kind of small things that make a big difference. These tips are perfect for anyone looking to create a bird-friendly garden in Charente, whether you’re starting fresh or just want to welcome a few more visitors this season.



A wild corner in our garden.
A wild corner in our garden.


  1. Keep a Corner Wild (for the Wrens and Finches)


You don’t need to let the whole garden go — but leaving a patch a little untrimmed gives birds the cover and food sources they naturally seek out. Wild hedgerows, brambles, and ivy are especially helpful for small birds like wrens and finches, which are common around here. Even a messy corner can be a haven.



  1. Fresh Water is a Must (Especially in Warmer Months)


A shallow dish of clean water can be just as important as food. Birds will drink, bathe, and return again if they know it’s reliable. Just remember to change it regularly — especially during hot or dry spells. We use an old terracotta saucer placed on a tree stump. Nothing fancy, but it does the job beautifully.



  1. Feed Thoughtfully (And Skip the Bread)


If you’re putting out food, opt for seeds like sunflower hearts and millet, or unsalted peanuts. Homemade fat balls made from lard and seeds are also a hit — and easy enough to whip up at home. Just avoid bread and anything processed, as it can do more harm than good.


The robins and great tits are especially fond of what we put out — and once they find your garden, they’ll often come back daily.



  1. Offer a Place to Nest


Installing a nest box or birdhouse gives birds a safe, sheltered place to raise their young. Ours are handcrafted from natural wood right here in Charente, using simple tools and a whole lot of care. No varnish, no plastic — just well-made, bird-friendly spaces that blend in beautifully.


You can browse our handmade birdhouses here, if you’re curious.



  1. Plant for Birds (and the Insects They Love)


Native shrubs like hawthorn, elder, and dogwood provide both food and shelter, especially as they produce berries through the colder months. And if you want to support the wider food chain, buddleia is brilliant for butterflies and other pollinators — which in turn, attract more birds.



That’s it for now — nothing complicated, just little things that make a difference.

We’ll be sharing more tips like this soon (and yes — a few jam recipes too). If you’ve got any bird-friendly ideas of your own, we’d love to hear them.


From our garden to yours,

Christine x

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