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10 best bird boxes

It’s vital to keep garden birds fed during winter, but equally important to keep them topped up and fully fuelled during the summer months when birds will be raising chicks.

Worms can prove difficult to yank up from sunbaked earth, and insects will be in short supply should there be a sudden spell of wet or cold weather.

When deciding on a bird feeder for your garden, first consider its location. Feeders will get more attention when dangled off trees or situated close to hedges that provide cover.

Shady places are best, but be aware of predators – cats will gladly scale trellises and fences for a feather-wrapped feast if a feeder is in easy reach.

Try to feed high protein snacks such as mealworms and sunflower hearts.

Its best to avoid dishing out peanuts at this time of year as large pieces of dense food may choke baby birds, and remember to thoroughly clean your feeders on a regular basis – dirty feeders are breeding grounds for bacteria which can be bad news for your local bird population.

The Nuttery Helix Bird Feeder: £34.95, Living with Birds

This swish-looking feeder will keep your bird scran safe from squirrels thanks to the artful, steel bars that encircling the housing.

It’s best for smaller birds, as anything bigger than a starling will struggle to squeeze through the bars to access the goodies. A handy tray catches detritus, and the food dispenser lifts out easily for refilling and cleaning.

This feeder is available with either a seed feeder or a fine wire mesh innard for dispensing nuts.

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Simon King Urban Bird Feeder: £24.99, Simon King Wildlife

Born in a bird hide and raised by jackdaws, Simon King – BBC Wildlife’s avian-obsessed presenter – knows a thing or two about our fine feathered friends.

There’s plenty of bird-related paraphernalia to be found on his website - our pick is this compact, contemporary-looking feeder.

Designed to attract smaller birds, it's beautifully made, box-shaped feeding station with dual hang points, and comes with an additional clip-on perch.

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Box Wild Ceramic Bird Feeder Gift Box: £65, Box Wild

This modernistic ceramic feeder will dangle from your chosen tree like a mini-space station. It's easy to fill, has voluminous capacity and sports four generous sized perches for hungry birds to cling.

The feeder comes as part of a box set that includes two packs of seeds - one being a specially formulated blue-tit blend that sent our local bluebird population into a feeding frenzy.

The packaging also contains a birdy bonus – spread the thin wooden shavings on your lawn and you might see birds nabbing it for nesting material.

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Flutter Butter Timber Feeder: £6.95, Thompson & Morgan

This compact feeder is for serving Flutter Butter, a specially developed, protein-packed peanut butter for birds (the stuff you spread on your toast is too salty for such delicate beaked creatures to ingest).

The Flutter Butter jars twist easily into place, the contents of which are kept protected from the elements by the feeders dome-shaped roof.

There is a small perch provided, offering room for a solitary bird to rest and dine.

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National Trust Window Feeder: £9.99, Garden Wildlife Direct

Birds and glass don’t usually mix. The meeting of the two usually results in a bang, a ghostly bird imprint on the pane and – more often than not – a lifeless ball of feathers on the ground.

This suction-footed feeder attempts to atone for the sins of the window and allows the house-bound bird fancier to view feeding birds close-up, from the comfort of an armchair.

It's an easy to fill, sleek-looking feeder, made from wipe-clean plastic – a tiny, embossed NT logo above the food dispenser will remind birds who provided the furniture for their seedy banquet.

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RSPB Ground Feeder: £18.99, RSPB

Birds such as blackbirds, robins and wren prefer to take their food from the ground rather than having to swing ungainly from a hanging feeder.

This squat, floor-based dining platform will cater for their needs. It’s segregated into four feeding areas, (like a nacho dip selection) and has plenty of room for hosting a whole flock of greedy avians.

To prevent rodents and other four-legged scavengers taking advantage of your hospitality, you might want to pair it with a wide mesh ground protector.

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Mealworm Feeder: £10.99, Little Peckers

Birds go nuts for protein-rich mealworms. Birds tend to prefer them live and wriggling but will gulp down dried ones just as keenly if you soak them in water before serving.

This mealworm feeder sports an adjustable plastic roof which does a fine job of preventing large birds entry whilst letting the little fellas in for a feasting.

The lower mesh tray holds its squirming cargo safe and secure, and can be easily cleaned with an old toothbrush between feeds.

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Bottle feeder: £13.99, Garden Bird

Whilst we cannot condone guzzling directly from an optic, this bottle-themed feeder is both fun and functional.

Refilling is straightforward enough – lift the bottle from its wooden housing and pour seeds directly in to the bottle via the neck.

It’s a job that can be made can be made less messy by recruiting help from a plastic funnel.

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Suet Block Feeder: £3.49, Garden Bird

Fat balls are the preferred winter fodder for birds, providing essential sustenance to see them through the harsh winter months.

Whilst seed feeders are best for summer, there's still place for this type of feeder in your garden as long as you remember two golden rules: Wash it down regularly and always use good quality, shop-bought bird balls. Homemade ones made from cooking fat are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and will smear and clog birds feathers.

The top of this feeder pops open easily for filling, and will accommodate nine fatty treats. No perches on this one – birds will happily cling to the frame. The assembly is easy to hose down, and comes with an additional spike which you can attach to make a low level feeding station.

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Tom Chambers Elegance Bird Station: £79.99, Harris Garden Centre

To provide the ultimate avian banquet, go for one of these multi-feeding stations.

This elegant food-dispenser from Tom Chambers covers all bases, featuring two feeding trays mounted on the centre pole and five arms from which to dangle feeders of your choice (feeders are not supplied).

It’s easy to erect – the poles screw firmly together – and the whole assembly stands secure thanks to the fat central ground spike. Even when a sizeable representation from local pigeon population began bouncing on the arms, the feeder remained upstanding.

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The verdict: Bird feeders

For a versatile, well-built feeder that looks the business, dangle a Helix bird feeder from your tree and watch the birds flock.