As the days get longer and gardens start to wake up, spring brings with it a flurry of feathered visitors. Whether you're a casual birdwatcher or a seasoned spotter, there's something special about seeing birds return (or arrive) with the new season.
Here are five beautiful spring birds you're likely to see in your garden - and a few tips on how to make them feel at home.
1. Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Probably the most iconic garden bird in the UK, the robin is easy to spot with its red breast and friendly demeanour. Though they’re around all year, robins become more active and vocal in spring, often staking out garden territory with their sweet, melodic song.
How to attract them:
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Offer mealworms or soft fruits like apples
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Keep areas of leaf litter where they can forage for insects
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Provide nesting spots in sheltered hedges or wall-mounted boxes
2. Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
These tiny, colourful birds are a springtime delight with their blue caps, yellow chests, and acrobatic antics. Spring is nesting season for blue tits, and they’re often spotted darting in and out of boxes or inspecting nooks in fences and trees.
How to attract them:
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Put up a small nest box with a 25mm entrance hole
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Offer peanuts, fat balls, and suet blocks
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Maintain clean feeders - they're fussy but loyal!
3. Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Blackbirds are early risers and often the first to break the morning silence with their rich, fluting song. Males are jet black with a striking yellow beak, while females are a warm brown.
How to attract them:
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Offer raisins, berries, or a bit of grated cheese
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Create a bird-friendly corner with dense shrubs for nesting
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Leave a patch of your garden wild to encourage insects
4. Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
With their red faces, golden wing bars, and tinkling calls, goldfinches are a joy to spot flitting around gardens in small groups. Spring sees them pairing up and building nests in high shrubs or trees.
How to attract them:
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Hang a Nyjer seed feeder (they love it)
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Grow seed-rich plants like teasels and dandelions
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Avoid using pesticides - goldfinches appreciate natural food sources
5. Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
You’ll probably hear this one before you see it! The chiffchaff is a small, olive-green warbler that returns from migration in spring, announcing its arrival with a repetitive “chiff-chaff” song.
How to attract them:
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Keep your garden insect-friendly - chiffchaffs feed on midges and flies
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Plant native trees or shrubs like hawthorn and elder
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Provide a water source for bathing and drinking
Spring is the perfect time to tune into nature, and your garden can become a haven for birds with just a few small changes. Whether it's adding a nesting box, switching up your feeders, or simply letting part of your garden grow wild, these simple acts can make a big difference.
To really get to know your garden visitors, consider setting up a wildlife camera. It’s a great way to spot which birds are visiting throughout the day (and night!) without disturbing them - and it can help you understand what’s working well in your space.
You can also create a welcoming environment by installing a bird box, offering fresh water, and planting a mix of native shrubs and flowers to support feeding and nesting.
If you're unsure where to start or want tailored advice for your space, get in touch with our team - we’re always happy to help.
