The UK is still a nation of bird lovers according to the recent HTA PlantforLife Environment report.

Research within the report revealed that one in three people are now doing things specifically to encourage wildlife into the garden – which is an increase of a third compared to four years ago. Also, a survey by Ipsos Mori, commissioned by the HTA revealed that 75% of garden owners agree or strongly agree with the statement “It’s important to me that my garden supports wildlife like birds and bees”.

Over recent years, more products targeted at the wild bird market have become available in garden centres and consumers can now tailor feeding regimes to attract the birds that we most want to see in our gardens.62% of us now regularly feed the birds in our garden and nearly a quarter provide nesting and breeding habitats.

Gardman, a major supplier to UK garden centres has seen a significant increase in the market with a third of their total sales coming from wild bird care products alone. In a year the company has sold over 2.6 million bird feeders, 8.2 million packs of bird food and 37.4 million fat balls throughout the UK.

Sales of seed mixes and blends have increased by 15% over the last year - no mess seed mix has been particularly successful with sunflower hearts and seeds driving growth in this sector by 3%. Sales of feeders have increased by about 5% with flip top feeders and premium flip top feeders being the top sellers.

Jane Lawler, marketing director at Gardman said “Wild bird care sales have increased because of several factors. Last season’s intensely cold weather saw a sales uplift of 35% as people looked to feed and care for the birds in their garden during the harsher temperatures.

“There is also an increased interest from the public when TV programmes such as the BBC’s AutumnWatch are broadcast. The market is growing in sophistication too with more increasingly knowledgeable garden birders, an improvement in product design and materials and better seed mixes and blends.  Alongside traditional bird seed, people are also now investing in specific products such as meal worms and suets which account for 40% of the wild bird care foods sold in garden centres.”

Westland has also launched their Peckish bird food to cater for this growing market. Specifically tailored for different types of bird, the Peckish range consists of a number of seed mixes, sunflower, peanut and nyger seeds, treats and a variety of feeders.  The range contains Calvita, a specially developed supplement giving birds the very best nutrients and vitamins vital for their development.

Dr Jamie Robinson of Peckish said: “Days are getting shorter and the nights are colder resulting in hard times ahead for garden birds. It is now the perfect time to start supplementary feeding the birds in your garden, if you are not already doing so.  Good quality high energy feeds are what birds need at this time of year which is why Westland has developed the Peckish Winter Warmer mix specifically to meet garden birds’ energy requirements through the coming winter.”

To highlight the importance of feeding wild birds, the RSPB will be running their annual “Feed the Birds Day” on October 29th with over 150 events due to take place nationwide.

Many HTA member garden centres across the country will be holding events to educate inform and advise customers on bird behaviour and how to attract them to your garden.  Events include bird drawing competitions, making your own bird feeders, talks on how to identify different birds and how to care for them during winter. Please check your local garden centre for more details.

Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdale Garden Centre and member of the HTA Retail Management Group said: “The increased interest in wild bird care is pleasing to see as we head into the colder weather. We have started to see people doing more with their gardens and creating inviting habitats and nesting areas for birds. Most garden centres now have dedicated wild bird care departments within their stores with expert staff on hand to provide advice about feeding and caring for the birds in our gardens.”