THERE’S never really an excuse for not having a bird feeder standing in your garden.

But with the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch taking place on January 25 and 26, there is no better time to invest in a bird feeder, or two, to keep our feathered friends happy during the winter and beyond.

There’s a plethora of bird feeders on sale, but the RSPB advises keeping in mind some general rules when buying one.

Hanging feeders should be simple designs so they are easy to clean – look for removable ports which will also make cleaning easier.

Feeders with cages around the feeding area or with squirrel guards are best to prevent squirrel problems.

Metal varieties tend to be more squirrel-resistant, as cheap plastic feeders can easily be dismantled by squirrels.

Also, ensure there are no moving parts which could trap birds’ feet, make sure the products can drain easily, and avoid using mesh bags to house fat balls, because birds’ feet can also become trapped in those.

Henry Corbett, Solus Garden & Leisure’s head of gardening brands, says: “One of the most important considerations should be that the bird feeder is suitable for the type of food it’s going to hold.

“For example, seed mixes need a specialist seed feeder.

Most suppliers will sell specific feed designed for individual species such as blackbirds, robins and blue tits, so ensure you have the right feeder for the feed you intend to use.

Darlington and Stockton Times:
A great tit takes advantage of the globe nut and nibble feeder

“Robins and blackbirds are ground feeding birds and require surface feeders. Other birds, such as blue tits, cling on hanging feeders.

“Feeders need to hold enough food for two or three days of feeding, so make sure the feeder you buy is big enough for the amount of birds in the garden.

Buy multiple feeders and place them in different locations in your garden to avoid overcrowding.”

He also advises gardeners to hang feeders away from trees and walls to avoid giving cats easy access to birds, preferably on metal poles that the cat can’t climb up or jump on to.

“Finally, don’t forget feeding is a year-round requirement.

If you start feeding the birds in your garden, don’t stop – birds become reliant on your help.”

Here’s just a few of the best bird feeders on the market:

PRETTY

Afternoon tea, anyone? Feed the birds with this quirky ceramic bird feeder from Suttons which features a mixed floral design and comes complete with hanging chain.

(£10.99, www.suttons.co.uk, or call 0844 922 0606) Protect your bird feed from pests while bringing classic style into the garden, with a ChapelWood antique bird feeder. Made from hardwearing steel, each high-capacity feeder features an integral tube, surrounded by an ornate anti-squirrel cage. Embellished with floral details and a pre-weathered finish, the feeders are available in either dark verdigris or light cream. Each design can be bought as a peanut and sunflower feeder or a seed feeder.

(£29.99, for stockists visit www.chapelwoodwildlife.co.uk)

NATURAL

If you want a feeder which fits into a rural setting, check out the hanging willow feeder from Suttons, complete with a roof to keep the contents dry. It features six separate compartments, each containing carefully selected seeds to attract a variety of birds.

(£20.99, www.suttons.co.uk, or call 0844 922 0606) FUN Children will love the Chapel- Wood Robin Fun Feeder (£7.99, for stockists visit chapelwoodwildlife.co.uk) ideal for use with sunflower hearts, black sunflowers and peanuts. It’s made from painted metal mesh and designed to attract a wild variety of birds to the garden.

Pretty, practical and fun, the terracotta acorn bird feeder from the RSPB is frost-resistant with three feeding holes.

Hang it from a tree or feeding station and fill it with mealworms or seeds to attract the birds. (£13.50, www.rspb.org.uk)

PRACTICAL

Want to keep squirrels at bay but keep the birds coming?

Take a look at the Guardian large seed feeder pack from CJ Wildlife

(£37.95, www.birdfood.co.uk, or Freephone 0800 731 2820) which features a central feeder with six portals on which birds can perch, surrounded by a sturdy cage to keep squirrels out. It can be hung or fitted on a garden pole. For smaller birds, consider the RSPB-recommended Helix Seed Feeder (£34.99, www.rspb.org.uk), an attractive feeder housed within a sturdy stainless steel frame, offering safe feeding for smaller birds with high squirrel resistance.

It also has a food catcher at the bottom which helps reduce waste. An elegant arched station rather like an obelisk, which has bird feeders hanging from it, is available from Harrod Horticultural. Available in galvanised and matt black powder coated steel framework, it comes with a 10 year guarantee. Up to three feeders can be hung on the squirrel-proof fixing hooks which stop feeders being unhooked and thrown to the ground.

(£59, www.harrodhorticultural.com, call 0845 402 5300)