Gardeners urged to scatter raisins in gardens in February

By Alex Evans, Deputy Audience Editor

Gardeners are being urged to put sultanas in their garden (Image: Alex Evans)

Gardeners are being urged to scatter raisins or sultanas in their garden this February in order to help feed a hungry bird which is still in the UK over the winter.

Blackbirds are some of the most well known and well liked birds in the UK, and can often be seen hopping through gardens in search of food right the way through the winter as, unlike many other species, they don’t migrate and fly south when the weather turns cold.

But thanks to a mixture of struggles to find food and the outbreak of a new virus, The British Trust for Ornithology is warning of a decline in blackbird populations. 

The Trust said: “Blackbirds are a common bird in gardens across the UK, from rural areas to the hearts of cities. However, in recent years and particularly since 2020, birdwatchers have reported fewer birds being seen in their gardens, especially in London.”

That’s why gardeners are being urged to do what they can to help feed hungry blackbirds over the cold winter.

One RSPB forum member came up with a great idea - using raisins or sultanas.

She said: “Along with the robin I would say they are the friendliest of the garden birds and can become quite tame - although they are also quite fickle in that they can be your 'best friend' when they're particularly hungry but when the sun is shining and there are berries on the bush they do tend to blow a little cool.

“During winter and when they are breeding I always have a pocketful of sultanas/raisins, which they absolutely love. I find that the males are friendlier than the females, who tend to be more 'careful'.  The males often follow me around the garden, staying just a couple of feet away - but if my hand goes into my pocket they often run and stand at my feet.

“As the starlings often crowd the feeders, and the blackbirds can be wussies, the regular blackbirds always come to the patio doors and look beseechingly through the glass - they also sunbathe in that spot so that they are close when the doors open and sultanas fly out to where they are.

“All in all - I would say that if you want to foster a closer relationship with these birds the advice would be the same as any woman would give her daughter 'the way to his heart is through his stomach'.”

This is backed up by Really Wild Bird Food, which says: "Raisins are loved by many bird species, such as blackbirds and song thrushes.

"Raisins are most effective when fed from the ground. Soaking raisins during the breeding season helps adults to supply their young with necessary water."