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If the first few days of 2026 did anything, they highlighted the need to keep an eye on the amount of food and, just as importantly, water available to the birds in your garden. Freezing conditions make finding adequate supplies of both a real challenge for wildlife, and nothing seems to bring out the up-cycler in all of us than when looking for a foolproof and cost-effective way to keep water from freezing on winter nights.

It is often assumed that birds look for sources of fresh water primarily for drinking, and while this is often true, birds also need water to help with preening. An important part of keeping warm during the coldest of months. One of the simplest ways of keeping bird baths ice-free is the use of a cork from a wine bottle. Float one on the water, and the movement, due to the breeze, will help keep the water moving enough to slow down the rate of freezing. Try to use a natural cork rather than a synthetic as it will be biodegradable when you’ve finished using it. Although not as eco-friendly as a natural cork, a small ball, like a ping pong ball, will also do much the same job.

Try to avoid electric heaters as these are not only expensive to run, but the power used isn’t always green energy. Although regular refills using warm water from the tap also helps keep the bird bath clear, this too isn’t always the greenest option, plus venturing out in freezing conditions can also present its own challenges and risks for us humans.

Whatever method you use to keep the water you are offering to the birds clear of ice, try to check on it regularly, as it’s surprising how quickly it can freeze on the closest of days. And if you are using a reasonably shallow dish, try to put a small number of pebbles in it to allow birds to stand on while they drink.

If you are thinking of making more environmentally friendly choices in 2026 you could always consider upcycling old household items to utilise them as bird feeders. Old teacups can become charming seed holders when glued to saucers and mounted on poles. Plastic bottles can be turned into seed dispensers with a few small holes for perches. Although they may not stand up to the attention paid by your local squirrel population! Colanders make handy suet holders with great drainage. All these suggestions help by reusing items you’d otherwise throw away, thereby reducing waste and the impact of manufacturing.

                                           

It isn’t just feeders that can benefit from a little lateral thinking. If you have feeding stations or feeders that need some protection from the rain, maybe it is worth considering the use of large, upturned plant saucers, or better still, plant fronds, or large leaves, all of which can act as rain guards over feeders. If you can keep seed dry without needing synthetic or single use covers, you are helping to keep the food edible for longer while reducing the waste going to landfill.

When it comes to garden chores, much of the leaf litter that has fallen over the past few months will have decayed and already been utilised by the insects in your lawn; however, there could still be some that may tempt you to clear it up. Before you do, try to keep some beneath shrubs or trees. Many birds, like blackbirds and thrushes, forage here for insects. We’ve all seen them busily throwing the leaves around while they rummage around for insects. This type of natural activity helps support the natural garden food chain.

Although not an obviously ‘green’ suggestion, when buying seed mixes for the birds, why not consider buying in larger quantities? Fewer deliveries reduce the carbon footprint of the product and, doing so, also reduces packaging. It’s worth remembering that if you do buy in larger quantities, you may have to review the storage of the seed as it will be of particular interest to some of the smaller rodents that may pay your garage or shed a visit while you sleep! Investing in some good old-fashioned galvanised waste bins is a great way to deter the attention of mice, and keeping the bins in sheltered positions means they will last for years.